John Paul Knipfel

John Paul Knipfel, 76, of Ames, IA died peacefully Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames after experiencing a life-changing stroke on May 18, 2018. Shirley, his wife of 51 years and beloved dog, Bella, were at his side. Celebration(s) of Life will be planned later.
Born September 12, 1948, in Des Moines, Iowa, John was raised on a farm east of Ackley until the family moved in to town after the death of his father.
John attended Sacred Heart Academy Catholic School in Ackley through the 8th grade. After graduating from Ackley-Geneva High School in 1966, he attended Ellsworth Community College where he first studied retail marketing (serving a practicum with Kinney's Shoes in Marshalltown) and later petroleum marketing. He served in the U.S. Army from February 12, 1969, until February 1971 which included a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. He returned to Ackley following his honorable discharge.
Shortly after returning to town, John met the Aplington home economics teacher living in Ackley. On March 24, 1973, John and Shirley Pinneke, originally of Sheffield, were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ackley. He worked in the shipping department of Ackley Food Processors and then operated "John's 66" gas and service station where he thoroughly enjoyed working and visiting with his customers, sales representatives and the high school students who worked for him. He was a proud and active member of the American Legion Post 252 and the Ackley Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1990, John and Shirley relocated to Ames where he ran sales and service routes for Interstate Battery and then Justice Brothers. Later he worked at Becker-Underwood and then for the City of Ames until his retirement in October 2011.
Always a "people" person, John thoroughly appreciated interacting with everyone he met and had true affection for the many furry friends making their home with them through the years. He also enjoyed stock car racing, golf, Miami Dolphin football, ISU Cyclone Athletics and other spectator sports. He loved attending the Iowa State Fair several days each year and also was a regular at the Good Guys Car Show. As evidenced by his vast collection of toy tractors, his favorite hobby was collecting anything "John Deere!"
John was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Caroline "Lena" (Gottschalk) Knipfel. He is greatly missed by his wife Shirley and Bella, plus many extended family members and good friends.
If you wish to honor John's memory with a memorial, please consider a gift to the Ackley American Legion Post 252, the Ackley Fire Department, Ames Animal Shelter or a worthy cause of your choice.