Donald H. Knock, affectionately known as "Opa," passed away peacefully on October 2, 2023, in Centerville, South Dakota. The lifelong South Dakota resident, born in Sioux Falls on April 30, 1947, to Dick T and Doris Irene Jacobs Knock, was known for his gentle sweetness and the joy he took in making others laugh. In his final hours, he was surrounded by his cherished family and the caring staff of the Centerville Care and Rehab Center. In life, Opa had touched and uplifted many; in passing, he leaves a void that can never fully be filled.

Raised on a farm south of Lennox, Opa was the bedrock of his family, growing and learning alongside his brothers and sister. He stood as a symbol of care, integrity, and hard work that resonated deeply with everyone that crossed his path. Opa graduated from Lennox High School in 1965 and worked briefly with Snell Telephone Construction before serving his nation with pride and distinction as a member of the US Navy.

Upon his honorable discharge, Opa resumed work in construction and drove a truck before settling on a fulfilling career with Stake Construction laying telephone cable. His work took him on many adventures across Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. It was in Texas that he met the love of his life, Karen Sue Strong Knock, and they married on April 30, 1981, in a ceremony imbued with a love story that spanned forty years. Despite health challenges later in life, Opa found joy and comfort in the familiar embrace of his home state in 2021.

Opa had an unbridled passion for his horse, Dancer, and his two adorable puppies, Rattler and Sheldon. His tender care for his pets mirrored his gentle spirit, capturing his love for animals and the simple pleasures of life. Opa's subtle humor, infectious laughter, and stoic nature made him a beacon of joy and solace to those around him.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Karen, his parents, brothers David and Dick, sister Deb, and grandson, Copeland Clarke Johnson. The memory of their shared laughter, tears, bonds, and moments of triumph now serve as comforting memories for those who remember and cherish him.

Surviving Opa to uphold his legacy and shared his life story is his devoted brother, Dennis, stepdaughter and son-in-law, Peter and Valencia Meier, stepsons Vince Koelzer with his wife Amy and Greg Koelzer. Grandchildren include Landon Johnson with his wife Shanda and their children Archer, Owen, Michael Johnson with his wife Jade and their children Schaefer, McCoy, Copeland, and Holland, Donovan Johnson and girlfriend Kassie Geary.

As Einstein once stated, "Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation." Indeed, Opa's spirit, kindness, wit, and goodness continue to live on as a shining light in the lives of his many nieces, nephews, the individuals he touched, and the community he loved so much.