Mark "Buss" Kneifl

Mark D. “Buss” Kneifl Jr. This proud Marine and Vietnam vet passed away January 25, 2023 at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines, IA. Buss was born on May 28, 1945. The first-born son of Mark and Gayle Kneifl of Newcastle, NE. Buss was salutatorian of the Newcastle High School class of ’63. He attended and played football for USD in Vermillion for 2 years before enlisting in the US Marine Corp. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune & Camp Pendleton before spending 16 months in Vietnam. During 2 tours he was awarded The Rifle Sharp Shooter Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and The Navy Achievement Medal with combat “V.” After the service, Buss was employed in retail managing Woolworth stores and opening new stores for Walmart. He later retired from Pella Windows in Carroll, IA. You could always count on Buss to come home in the summer to fish at the river, in the fall to scare up some pheasants, find that big buck and loudly cheer on his Cornhuskers & come winter, spend Christmas with his family. Buss was the son who always took care of his parents, the brother who carried his little brother up that big hill to school, the uncle who took the nephews hunting and fishing and scored Cabbage Patch dolls for the nieces. We will never forget your love and dedication to country and family, Buss. Buss was a lifelong member of the American Legion, the Eagle’s Club in Vermillion, the NRA and everything that supported the military. In 1986 he married Diane Wilson. They made their home in Scranton, IA. Diane became his amazing caretaker when Buss became ill. We will always be grateful for you, Diane. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for taking such good care of our brother and uncle. Buss is survived by his wife Diane; brothers: Otto “Doug” Kneifl, Kirk (Denise) Kneifl, all of Newcastle; nephews: Scott (Jen) Kneifl, Wayne, NE, Brent (Shannon) Kneifl, Sgt. Bluff, IA; nieces: Kristen (Jason) Dendinger, Hartington, NE, Megan (Mike) Sorenson, Newcastle, NE; 12 great nieces and nephews; 1 great-great niece and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Gayle (Wendte) Kneifl, and his best buddy, Tucker. Everyone is invited to a brief prayer service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 4th at St. Peter’s Church before burial at the Calvary Cemetery in Newcastle, NE. Following the graveside service, please join the family for lunch and sharing of memories at St. Peter’s Hall after the burial. Because Buss was so passionate about his country, any memorials received will be given to the American Legion in his memory. Finally, as he closed out all his letters home, “Take it easy, Buss.” OORAH!