Keith Knaak

Services for Hillsboro High School graduate Keith Lynn Knaak, 72, of Craig, Missouri, who died Nov. 28 at Mosaic Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri, were Saturday in Mound City, Missouri.

Private inurnment with military rites was planned at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Born Dec. 7, 1949, in Herington to John F. Knaak and Alice M. Groening, he graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1967. He served for 10 years in the U.S. Navy, leaving as a machinist mate first class. 

He married LaVerda “Verdie” Backhus on Jan. 7, 1978, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shadybrook and began studies to become a minister in 1979.

He received a bachelor’s degree in divinity from Open Bible College and retired in December 2019 from the Church of the Nazarene in Craig.

Brothers Calvin and Richard Knaak preceded him in death. 

Survivors include his wife; children and stepchildren Nancy Greenawalt, Quint Rathbone, Ginger Brousseau, Robert Knaak, Gary Rathbone, Mark Rathbone, and Mindi Meyer; sister Grace Ann Stewart; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Chamberlain Funeral Home, Mound City, is in charge of arrangements.