Floyd Knakmuhs, age 89 of Westbrook, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Good Samaritan Nursing home in Westbrook. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in the Westbrook Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Floyd Knakmuhs was born June 2, 1934, to Paul and Effie (Jackson) Knakmuhs in Springdale Township, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm. Floyd attended Walnut Grove Public Schools and graduated in 1952. After graduation, in 1953, he joined the National Guards of Minnesota, then in 1956 enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. In 1959, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany for one year. Floyd was Honorably Discharged from his military duties in 1962. During his military career, he worked as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. Following his discharge, Floyd moved back to Walnut Grove and worked at a local service station for a couple of years, then worked at the Grain Elevator and service station in Jeffers. In 1966, he was confirmed and baptized into Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn. On September 9, 1967, he married the love of his life, Ruth Leopold, in Sanborn. In 1972, they moved to Westbrook, and Floyd worked at the Co-op Station until 1983 when he bought the station and renamed it Floyd’s Tire Service. He and Ruth worked side by side for 24 years while raising their family. Floyd was a very active member of the Westbrook VFW and served as Quarter Master for a couple of terms. He also was a Boy Scout leader. You could often find Floyd camping, fishing, playing cards, enjoying puzzles, and bird watching. He enjoyed eating at the Storden Drive Inn and attending his kids’ and grandchildren’s activities and life events. Floyd enjoyed traveling near and far away for those activities and events. He was known for making the best homemade ice cream on the holidays. In April of 2023, he moved from his home to become a Good Samaritan Nursing Home resident. On behalf of the Knakmuhs Family, a special thank you to all the nursing home staff for the kindness, loving care, and friendship so freely given to our dad. He will be dearly missed.
Floyd is survived by his wife Ruth; children: Angie (Ron) Horkey of Westbrook, Tim (Teri) of Jackson, Troy (Sarah) of Slayton, and Amber (Keith) Theobald of Fairmont; grandchildren: Carrie (Shane) Keck, Melody (Kyle) West, Levi (Chelsea) Horkey, Sophie (Sam) Sellers, Talitha Horkey (fiancée Gavin Schmidt), Noah, Benjamin, Katlyn, Kylie, Carter Knakmuhs, Amber Yoder and Makayla Theobald; great grandchildren: Alex, Liam and Ryan Horkey, Finley, Maverick, Emerly West, Sierra Keck and Liam Yoder; twin brother Lloyd of Westbrook; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: John, Edward, Richard, Howard, Jim, and Virene Shea.