Kristin Lynn Knebel, 39, of Iowa City, died at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on July 13, 2018.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at 10:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Iowa City.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:30 pm at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City. Following the luncheon, burial will be at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in rural Hills, Iowa.

Kristin was born on December 13, 1978 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. She was the daughter of James and Patricia Knebel. Kristin was a trail blazer of many Special Education Programs in the Iowa City School District. She began her education at age 2 at Mark Twain Elementary. During her early years at Mark Twain, Kristin and her parents advocated for extended year-round special education programming. Their desires were fully realized when Kristin reached 19 years old. After Mark Twain, she attended NW Junior High School. She enjoyed integrated classes in art and nutrition and food classes. She attended West High and graduated in 2000. During her time there she especially enjoyed and participated in drama productions. She was a member of the marching band. Her favorite classes were nutrition and art. At the age of 19, Kristin moved into her own apartment supervised by Reach for Your Potential. She had numerous roommates over the years, many of which became good friends. Kristin lived a very full and busy life.

After high school Kristin attended and worked at Rural Employment Alternatives in Conroy, IA for a number of years. Most recently she spent her days at Employment Systems in Iowa City. She always enjoyed a good birthday party and family gatherings. She loved swimming and music, especially when the volume was turned to high. U of I Marching Band concerts and county music were some of her favorites. She particularly enjoyed anything sung by Dolly Parton. Biking, dancing, horseback riding, and traveling were some of her favorite pastimes. She traveled to Disney World, Boston, Niagara Falls, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Kansas City, Omaha, Minneapolis, Adventureland, Milwaukee, Peoria, Chicago, and St Louis to name a few. Many of these trips were with Reach for Your Potential and Camp Courageous, where she also enjoyed their summer camps for many years.

Kristin created a special bond with almost everyone she met. If you ever received a hand massage from her you experienced her love.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Knebel, her grandparents, and her Uncle Rick Knebel.

She is survived by her mother, Pat and stepfather Ben Halupnik, her brother Tom (Lisa) Knebel, her nephews and niece, Alex, McKenzie, and Micah, her step- brothers Dirk (Katherine) Halupnik, Mark (Jenny) Halupnik, and Jimmy Halupnik, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Her family wishes to acknowledge and thank all the care providers and professionals who have taken on the task of helping provide for Kristin’s every-day living.

Instead of flowers and plants, the family requests memorials be made to Reach For Your Potential, Employment Systems, and Camp Courageous.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Kristin Lynn Knebel, please visit our Tribute Store.

Previous Events

Cemetery Details