Lloyd Knodel, 87, lifelong Butte area resident died on Sunday in his home.

Lloyd was born on July 1, 1930 on the family farm in Strasburg Township of Sheridan County near Butte, ND to Albert and Mary (Hess) Knodel. He was reared on the family farm, attended a rural school and graduated from Minot Model High School in 1948. He continued his education at Minot State Teachers College where he earned a Standard Teaching Certificate. As a young adult he taught school in Fessenden, Sheridan County and Strasburg Township.

Lloyd married Edythe Ewers on November 7, 1954 in Minot; shortly after he was drafted into the U.S. Army. They made their home in Georgia where he was stationed with the military. He received his honorable discharge in September of 1956 and they returned to North Dakota where he attended the North Dakota State School of Science and received specialized training in auto and diesel mechanics. Then, they made their home on a farm in Strasburg Township where they raised small grains and cattle. Also, he was employed by various construction companies.

Lloyd was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Butte, Operating Engineers Union #49 and Butte Senior Citizens He was a former member of the Butte American Legion Post. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as playing cards especially cribbage and pinochle.

Lloyd's loving family includes his wife of 63 years Edythe; children: Michael Knodel of rural Butte and Shelley Selzler of Lincoln, ND; four grandchildren: Jordan Selzler, Kyle and Kristen Clayton and Mindy Christensen; ten great grandchildren: Kadin, Aubrie and Ashton Selzler; Colten, Taelynn and Averie Clayton; Endrew and Destyn Scheid; TJ Brandvold and Kinsley Olson; sister: Irene Kostenko of Minot and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law: Sam Kostenko.

Celebration of the Life of Lloyd Knodel: Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Butte.
Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from noon to 3:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Lutheran Church and UNICEF.