Harvey Alvin Knecht, age 81, of Mitchell, SD died Friday September 28, 2018 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, October 5, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell with family private burial and military honors at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Friday at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Harvey A. Knecht was born, January 14, 1937 in rural Lowry, SD to Gottlieb and Mary (Reuer) Knecht.  He attended elementary school at Lowry and graduated from Hoven High School.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. Upon honorable discharge he returned home to farm with his father.  He completed a self-directed auto mechanic training program earning certification.

Harvey married Clarie Jo Frost on January 19, 1963 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Selby, SD.  Harvey and Clarie Jo made their home on a farm near Hoven until moving to Mitchell in 1999.  He held a number of different jobs but by far his favorite was driving school bus and getting to know the children on his routes and driving the trolley at the SD State Fair (while Clarie Jo was the greeter).

Harvey was a Sunday school and confirmation teacher and a member of the Church Council of St. John's Lutheran Church in Selby.  He enjoyed attending church especially singing traditional hymns, being outside, baseball, gardening and vacationing in the Black Hills of SD.  He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD and participated in bible study.  He was a very hard worker who enjoyed farming and being his own boss, fixing things and working in his yard in Mitchell.

Harvey is survived by a son, Paul Knecht and his wife, Kim, of Pierre and their children, Cartney and Carter and a daughter, Geri Beck and her husband, Doug, of Mitchell and their children Cara Bartl and her husband, Luke, and Eric and one sister, Lucille Weisgram, Rapid City.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Clarie Jo in 2008 (married for 45 years) and an infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth, his parents and two sisters, Elsie Seurer and Elvina Simon.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorials be directed to First Lutheran Church, Mitchell, SD or Lutheran Memorial Church, Pierre, SD.