Deborah Jean Kneller

Deborah Jean Kneller, 71 of Winterset, passed away at her home on Monday, January 2, 2023. Deborah Jessen was born on January 31, 1951 to Delbert and Genevieve (Varlamos) Jessen in Denison, Iowa.

Deb was raised in Carroll and graduated from Carroll High School in 1969. She went on to college at the University of Northern Iowa, where she received her BA in Elementary Education in 1973. She started her teaching career in Lytton, IA teaching first grade for 5-1/2 years, taking a six year break to start a family moving to Lorimor, IA in 1980. She taught second grade in East Union School District for 14 years. Moving to Winterset in 1988 Deb finished her teaching career at Winterset Community Schools teaching first grade for 14 years. She retired from Winterset Community Schools in May of 2013.

Deb and Bill Kneller were married in Carroll, IA on July 31, 1976. They had three children, Adam, Steven, and Eryn.

Deb and family joined the First United Presbyterian Church of Winterset in 1983. She was active in the Presbyterian Women and Madonna Circle. She loved spending time with her family, especially her five grandchildren passing down her love of reading and baking.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Kneller; her children, Adam (Natalie) Kneller, Steven (Ashley) Kneller, and Eryn (Charlie) Davis; her grandchildren, Kendall, Norah, and Harrison Kneller and Miles and Evie Davis; her

siblings, James Jessen and Barbara (Jessen) Airis; and her nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Genevieve Jessen.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Winterset, with family greeting friends one hour prior to the service from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow the service in the Winterset Cemetery. With lunch following at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to her family and will be used to support some of Deb’s favorite charities. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com