Ralph Eldon Knepper

Ralph Eldon Knepper, 87, of Holdrege, lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease, on Aug. 8, 2021, at his home in Holdrege. He was born in Enders, Nebraska on Dec. 10, 1933, the eldest of four children born to Alvin and Minnie (Einspahr) Knepper.
Eldon, as he was called, was baptized in January 1934 at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial. The family moved to Wauneta where he was confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church. At 16, he was handed his Wauneta High School diploma from his father.
After one year at the University of Nebraska, Eldon enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Augsburg and Hanover, Germany. He served in the intelligence branch preparing maps. He traveled throughout Europe and developed a love for touring. He was honorably discharged and reentered the University of Nebraska.
He was vice president of Beta Sigma Psi and active at the Campus Lutheran Church where he was choir tour director. There, across a bridge table and at choir rehearsals, he met his future bride, Paula Joan Roehrkasse of Grand Island.
The couple was married on Aug. 2, 1959. After their honeymoon to the Canadian Rockies, they returned to Lincoln to finish their degrees: Eldon in engineering and Paula in a master’s program in music. While in school, Eldon worked for the State of Nebraska Interstate Division and the U.S. Geological Survey.
In 1961, Eldon received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He accepted the position of hydraulic engineer for Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, a position he would hold for 33 years.
While in Hastings, Eldon and Paula were active in Peace Lutheran Church. Eldon introduced his wife to golf and both were active in the Hastings Community Theater. He won awards for his technical and set designs.
The couple moved to Holdrege with CNPPID. In 1968, Eldon passed the examination to become a registered professional engineer.
Eldon and Paula became active members of the Holdrege community and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Eldon served as president, elder, treasurer and board member of the Mission Leadership Council for the congregation. He sang with the Lutheran choirs and The Group under Paula’s direction.
Eldon served as president of the Central Nebraska Engineers Association, Holdrege Community Concert Association, Holdrege Country Club and on the coordinating council of the Tassel. They were season ticket holders at Opera Omaha for decades.
Eldon and Paula were blessed with a loving extended family of sisters, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. They loved to host the annual family weekend at Lake Jeffrey Lodge. They were avid Cornhusker fans and routinely traveled to regular and post season games.
After Eldon’s retirement, the couple traveled to Canada, Italy, Greece, Russia and Turkey and spent part of their winters on South Padre Island, Texas, recovering from their hectic musical Christmas season.
Eldon was a prolific reader, enjoyed hunting and fishing, his roses and flower garden and playing in golf tournaments. He loved playing cards, starting as a preschooler playing cribbage with his dad and uncles.
Besides his parents, Eldon was preceded in death by three brothers-in-law: Bernard Steinert, Ray Steinert and Glenn Trebelhorn.
He is survived by his loving wife, Paula Knepper of Holdrege; three sisters: Berneta Steinert of Wauneta, Doneta Steinert of Lincoln and Shirley (husband Jim) Pamp of Centennial, Colorado; two sisters-in-law: Claire (husband Mike) Eason of North Bend and Kathryn Trebelhorn of McAlester, Oklahoma.
Other survivors include nieces and nephews and their families: Dan (LaNita) Steinert of Hayes Center, Terry Steinert of Shelby, North Carolina (wife Darla, Matthew and Hannah), Joel (Blair) Steinert of Logan, Utah, Roni Olander of Lincoln (sons Ian and Evan), Stephen Pamp of Lakewood, Colorado, Kirsten Friel of Carbondale, Colorado (husband Tom and daughter Isla), LTC (Ret.) Michael Eason of San Antonio, Texas (wife Tamara, Victoria and Isabella), Marcy Eason of Wahoo, Michael Trebelhorn of Lincoln (wife Lisa, Nicholas and Joshua), David Trebelhorn (partner Andrew Queen) of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Christine Trebelhorn of Yulee, Florida (children: Clayton, Trey and Sara; and Ariel, Sara’s daughter); other relatives and many friends.
A memorial service was held Monday morning, Aug. 16, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege with Rev. Kenton Birtell officiating. Military honors were provided by the United States Army Funeral Honors Team. Inurnment was Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the Westlawn Cemetery in Grand Island.
A memorial has been established in Eldon’s honor to the Phelps County Community Foundation or Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com. The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.