Kurt Knippelmier

Kurt Alan Knippelmier, age 62 of Auburn, passed away at his home on June 4, 2025, after a fearless battle with cancer.

One of four children born on February 9, 1963, to Stan and Janet (Yelkin) Knippelmier in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In Kurt’s younger years, dirt bikes and trap shooting were a big part of growing up in the Auburn area. A natural born gearhead, he quickly learned he could take apart anything, fix it and put it right back together again.

Working at an early age at Stan’s Apco was an education in itself. The family business kept Janet, Stan, and Kurt busy pumping gas, fixing tires, and manning the wrecker at all hours. Kurt and his dad also owned and operated S&K Repair in Auburn, carrying on a service needed by many.

Kurt took an interest in playing snooker at a local billiard parlor in Auburn that influenced him in becoming one of the best pool players in SE Nebraska. As he got older, his pool playing skills would get challenged by many and those challenges could turn into a barroom brawl just as quickly, as Kurt wasn’t one to back down. More times than not, Kurt would prevail. Back in the early 80’s, Kurt was a bona fide bad-ass and hell on wheels. His love for fast cars was an inherited trait from his dad.

Kurt attended Auburn High School, graduating with the class of 1981.

In 1983, he married Kim Armstrong, and two children were born to this union, Kyle and Kristin. This marriage ended in 1989.

Kurt moved to Aurora, Colorado to get away from all the “chaos” in 1993. There he worked for Hal Nelson and used his mechanical skills working on vintage vehicles and maintaining/managing housing units.

In 2003, he moved back to Nebraska and remarried Kim, ultimately ending in divorce in 2015. They owned and operated the Whitehorse Bar & Grill in Johnson from 2005 to 2014.

In 2004, Kurt was diagnosed with throat cancer, with a life expectancy given of 5-7 years. He defied those odds. After intensive radiation and chemotherapy his treatment was successful at that time. In 2018, complications from the previous cancer and radiation resulted in a trachea being placed, but this didn’t stop Kurt from continuing to be productive as a maintenance technician at Smart Chicken in Tecumseh from 2014-2023, and as a mechanic for Auburn Auto for a short stent before getting cancer sick.

Through the years, Kurt and his sister Kelly (his “Irish twin”) born 12 ½ months apart, became each other’s advocate and best friend. Their fierce loyalty towards each other was constant. Shooting pool together became a past time that they both enjoyed. Kurt constantly trying to mentor Kelly…in which she didn’t mentor very well. For 7 years, every Wednesday night…aka Wednesday Night Live, you would find them shooting pool against other SE Nebraska teams. They competed in many pool tournaments together in North Platte, Columbus, Grand Island, and Lincoln. Kurt would always appreciate life with a “few” Busch Lights, which contributed to a lot of good memories with many lifelong friends.

Road trips to check in on Kyle, Heidi, and the kids included birthday and Christmas cards that always contained a little extra moolah for each. His kids and grandkids were important to him, and he enjoyed attending the grandkids’ many activities including trapshoots, football games, and basketball games. Kurt was the go-to guy for any fixes needed on any maintenance issue that needed attention. That extensive knowledge will be missed.

Always attempting to beat the odds, a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis raised its ugly head in 2024. It was an exhausting fight against a squamous cell carcinoma cancer that invaded his neck area and wrapped itself around the carotid artery. Constant nerve pain and full body seizures ensued but the fight continued this past year that resulted in endless doctor appointments, numerous emergency room visits, 20 radiation sessions, and 10 months of chemotherapy with sister Kelly fighting by his side. Forever optimistic, it was never a thought that the cancer couldn’t be beaten. Kurt would never give up…his body just did, and the cancer took over. His spirit couldn’t be broken, even as hospice was recommended. Staying at home while battling the cancer showed his never-ending inner strength and determination.

Some would say that his vices were what accelerated his death…and then again, some could say…they were what kept him living his life…his way.

Kurt is survived by his sister and friend, Kelly Stahl (Doug) of Johnson; son Kyle Knippelmier (Heidi) of Beatrice and their children Kade, Bo, Crew, and Urban; daughter Kristin Caspers (Wade) of Tecumseh and their children Elleigh, Dierks, and Emmitt. He is also survived by his sister Kerri Moerer (Paul) and their children Seth and Shae; brother Kraig Knippelmier all from Johnson; niece Tawna Bennett (Ryan) from Nebraska City and their children Bodhi and Margo; uncle Bob and aunt Vivian Yelkin from Lake Ozark, MO; other cousins, family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Janet Knippelmier; grandparents, John and Irene Yelkin, Rudolph and Irene Knippelmier; uncle Richard and aunt Marlene Yelkin.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Auburn Eagles Club. Private family burial will take place in Sheridan Cemetery at Auburn.

Memorials suggested to family choice.