Donna Larson Knippling, 64, died early Monday morning May 23, 2016 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services was held Thursday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at the Foothills Bible Fellowship Church with Rev. Sarah Olson Dean officiating.  Burial was in the Hope Cemetery, rural Wessington Springs. Visitation was Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at the church with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Donna Rae Larson Knippling was born to Phyllis (Wheeler) and William James (Jay) Thompson on July 21, 1951 in Wessington Springs.  She was raised on a farm in Pleasant Township with her parents and brother, Ronald Jay Thompson. She attended rural Pleasant View Country School through the eighth grade and graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1969. She graduated from the Methodist School of Nursing in Mitchell on May 23, 1973.
Donna was united in marriage to Clint Jost on Sept. 18, 1971. She became a mother to Perry, Casey and Regina. Donna began her lifelong career and passion of nursing at Weskota Memorial Hospital, Wessington Springs, and dedicated 40 years to caring for the people of the community.
Donna married Craig Larson on Aug. 14, 1998 in the Black Hills. She and Craig enjoyed couples outings with friends, golfing and travel. Craig’s passing was very difficult for Donna.
Donna married Francis Knippling, Nov. 26, 2014. They lived on the farm 10 miles south of Wessington.
Donna was a member of the United Church of Christ, served as a board member there and volunteered in community events whenever needed. She enjoyed golfing at the Springs Country Club, church activities and attending the various sporting events of her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Francis; three children and their families, Perry (Ann) Jost of Woonsocket, Casey (Sara) Jost of Hartford, and Regina (Bryce) Teveldal of Wessington Springs; seven grandchildren; brother, Ronald (Becky) Thompson of Whitesboro, Texas;  step-children, Brenda (David) Reis of Oacoma, Rocky (Donna) Knippling of Chamberlain, Karla (Doug) Hofhenke of Huron, Roxanne (Barry) Holm of Ashley, N.D., Barry (Sherri) Knippling of Chamberlain and Shannon (Scott) Dirk of Vale; 25 Knippling grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; aunts; uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Craig.