Eugene Knecht

February 25, 1939 - September 6, 2023

Eugene Dale Knecht was born on February 25, 1939, in Martin, S.D., to John Frederick (Jack) Knecht and Reva Lillian Hines Knecht. He was followed by siblings Donald, Sharon, John, and Gary. They moved to Hot Springs and then to Martin and when Eugene was in the first grade, they moved to Tuthill. 

Eugene attended first through eighth grade in Tuthill. He attended three years of high school at Bennett County High and graduated from high school at the University School of Agriculture in 1958. Later, he majored in Business at Northern State College in Aberdeen. After three semesters, he returned to farming and ranching near Tuthill. 

At the age of fourteen, Eugene raised Angus cattle on shares with Senator Jay Cole in Merriman, Neb. He then registered his signature brand 9/9. He later took a Hereford steer to the Denver Stock Show which inspired him to raise registered Herefords.

Eugene had many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly: Christina, Robert, Liesl, Jacqueline, Christopher, Jennie, Cathy, Marty, Nicholas, Cherie, Andrew, Zach, Connie, Greg, Bethany, Michael, and Emma. He also had twenty-one grand-nieces and nephews.

After his parents passed away, Eugene ceased farming, moved to Box Elder, and had land interests in Missouri and Oklahoma. He then moved to Thermopolis, Wyo., where he lived for the remainder of his life.

On September 2, 2023, Eugene was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing cancer, and he passed away on September 6, 2023.

Eugene was proceeded in death by his parents Jack and Reva Knecht and his sister and brother-in-law Sharon and Rueben Pauly, niece Jennie Pauly and great-nephew Levi Claussen. He is survived by his brothers and sister-in-law Don and Lori, John and Wendy, Gary and Judy.

Graveside services will be held in Tuthill on Friday, September 15, at 11:00. Following the service, lunch will be served at the Tuthill Firehall.