Emil Frank Otto Kneupper went to be with our Lord on September 29, 2011, at the age of 92. Emil was born August 14, 1919 in Kendalia, Texas, an only child to Charlie and Ida Kneupper. Emil lived his entire life on his family ranch in Kendalia, and raised his own family in the same house in which his father was born.

Emil married Dorothy Zoeller on November 7, 1942. They welcomed daughter Karen Jo in 1945, followed by daughter Karla Jean in 1948. Emil enjoyed spending his days farming, raising cattle and Angora goats, and cultivating his beloved vegetable garden, which produced under his careful tending an abundance of squash, tomatoes and cucumbers that he always shared with his family and neighbors.

Emil and Dorothy enjoyed over 65 years of marriage before her death in 2008. Emil is survived by his daughter Karen Nicholson and husband Jim of Midland, Texas; daughter Karla Mathis and husband Wayne of Kendalia, Texas; granddaughters, Karrie Mathis Simpson and husband Kenneth; Kendall Mathis and husband Mason Daughett; Krystal Mathis; Jamie Nicholson Lankes and husband Matt; and Jody Nicholson; and great-grandchildren Kenny, Kennedy and Kenton Simpson, Jacob Daughett and Sinead Lankes.

A visitation will be held Sunday, October 2, at Croft’s Funeral Home in Blanco, Texas, from 5pm to 7pm. A graveside service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, October 3, at the Kneupper Cemetery in Kendalia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emil’s name to Kendalia Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 434, Kendalia, Texas 78027.