John Knudsen

John Knudsen

1927-2021

John Howard Knudsen, 93, died June 5, 2021 at his home in Sigourney.  He was born on Sept. 9, 1927 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids to K.O. and Mabel Thompson Knudsen. John spent his youth raising and caring for sheep and cows and exploring the Wildwood farm north of Marion, Iowa. He graduated from Marion high school in 1949. John farmed with his dad and brother until 1960.  John was a heavy equipment demonstrator, operator at Herman H. Brown in Cedar Rapids and later he was employed at Collins Radio as a master machinist for 30 years retiring in 1985.  On Jan. 8, 1970 he married Vernice Hildegard  Fangman Trenkamp in Cedar Rapids. They made their home in Marion until 2008 and they moved to Sigourney to be near their daughters.  John enjoyed gardening, traveling, collecting gas engines, making bells and whistles. You could always find John working in his shop and later with the granddaughters pounding nails and building projects. He was a very proud grandpa and served the granddaughters a chocolate milk shake before bedtime every night of their stay. Some of the best days were when John beat Vernice in cards. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sigourney.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Edmund Trenkamp and Daniel Trenkamp, and brother Max T. Knudsen.

Survivors include  his wife Vernice of 50 years, his daughters Jean (Alan) Axmear and Shirley (Jeff) Holm all of Sigourney,  four granddaughters Jessica Horras, Meredith Holm, Hanna Kullander and Carolyn Holm-Eslick,  six great grandchildren Aidan, Addilyn,  Amelia,  Jaxson, Finnley and Vivian. Two nephews Jim Knudsen of Coralville and Charley Knudsen of Marion one great nephew Christopher Knudsen.

Graveside service was held Tuesday at 11 a.m.  in the Garden of the Cross at Cedar Memorial Cemetery,  Prayers service was held Monday at 3:30 p.m. With a visitation following until 6 p.m. at the Holm Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Holm Funeral Home Sigourney.