Rosary services for Sabina Knispel, age 95, of McIntosh, SD will be on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church in McIntosh. Fr. Ron Garry will officiate with burial in the McIntosh City Cemetery.


Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Friday, June 3, 2011.

Honorary casketbearers are Bernard Moser, Edward Block, Phillip Ternes, Arthur "Skip" TenBroek, Dan Hughes, Frank Umber, Wesley Arnold, Harold Arnold, Robert Mayes, Keith Gall, Russel Halverson, and Gary Bubbers.

Active casketbearers will be Jeff Knispel, Todd Knispel, Matt Knispel, Mike Knispel, Bradley Schaaf and Darwin Schaaf.

Sabina Koslowski was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 9, 1915, the only daughter of John and Felxia (Wachowski) Koslowski. She attended public school in Chicago through the eighth grade. She had many stories of her time in Chicago; meeting Al Capone, watching Revenuer raid on an illegal liquor warehouse and other stories of inner city life. She and her family moved to their new home on the Cedar River in 1930.


Sabina married Frederick (Fritz) Knispel on November 2, 1933 in McIntosh, SD. They were blessed with three children; Kenneth, Phyllis, and James. All three were born in Oregon where the family lived during the depression. The Knispels moved back to McIntosh in 1945 and is where Sabina would spend the rest of her life. Sabina worked at the local Jack 'n Jill store for about 32 years, where she was known as the "Cookie Lady" by all the children from near and far. Her door was always open. Sabina liked receiving visitors at her little house on Main Street, her guests would jokingly say "Be ready for a lengthy stay". Sabina enjoyed extended visits and making jellies and jams.


Sabina passed away on Wednesday evening, May 25, 2011 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.


Sabina is survived by her son Kenneth of Anoka, MN and his children Judy Smida (Chuck) of Isanti, MN; Mike Knispel (Connie Sue) of Mora, MN; and granddaughter-in-law, Laurie Knispel (Paul) of Shakopee, MN; her daughter Phyllis Schaaf of Glendive, MT and her children Bradley of Glendive, MT and Darwin (Julie) of Billings, MT; her son James (Alice Marie) of Chadron, NE and his children Jeffery of Topeka, KS, Todd of Glendive, MT, and Matthew (MaryAnn) of Pinellas Park, FL; sister-in law Alice Koslowski (Stanley) of Las Vegas, NV; fifteen great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.


Sabina was preceded in death by her parents; John and Felxia Koslowski: husband, Frederick "Fritz" Knispel; son-in law Lyle Schaaf; grandson Paul Knispel; two brothers Stanley and Frank Koslowski and sister-in law Ruth Koslowski (Frank).


Though in her later years her mobility was limited, her spirit was not. Those people she touched during her long life will never forget her.


Memorials may be made to the McIntosh Cemetery Association or the McIntosh V.F.D. Ambulance Service in care of Great Western Bank P.O. Box 380 McIntosh, SD 57641