Clinton Earl Kniep was born on June 29, 1968, in Creston to Donna Moore and Ron Kniep. Clint was “somewhat welcomed” home by older sisters Diane and Karla. We say somewhat welcomed because oldest sister Diane loved having a baby brother and defended him to the death. While middle sister, Karla loved him, but would have been happy not to have this newest addition disturb the “perfect” family she had. Clint was born early and was a very small baby, but he made up for that in the years to come. He grew so much because of the love that surrounded him and the love he had to give.
As a child he was always wreaking havoc and going on adventures with his best friends and neighbors, Chuck and Doug Williams. He had an imaginary friend, Dean, whom he blamed everything on. “Dean did it!” He rode his bike up and down main street of Bridgewater and loved going to the Bridgewater station for pop and peanuts. He would go to Doris’ store in Bridgewater and charge snacks for all of his friends and himself to his dad’s account. He would often stop at his grandparents’ house on main street in Bridgewater and he loved coming to Clearfield to spend time with his cousins and grandparents there. He grew up with cousin Lester Elliott – raised more as his brother than cousin. In high school, Clint moved to Clearfield and began attending Diagonal High school. He credits the friends he made there and Coach Dennis Tassel for turning him into the man he was today. He loved all activities and was active in basketball and baseball and the class plays while he was in high school.
After high school, he attended one year at Southwestern Community College (to become an art teacher), and he helped coach basketball and baseball at Diagonal. He did this for many years. He played slow pitch softball, league basketball and golf (lots and lots of golf). Later he moved back to Greenfield and worked at Cardinal glass before eventually starting work on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and moving back to Diagonal.
In December of 1997 he took Shaun Hayse out on their first date, proposed to her in September and they were married March 20, 1999. Much to the chagrin of Clint they lived on a farm east of Redding which he complained was too far from the golf course. The light of Clint’s world were his twins, Jillian and Tessa, who were born August 23, 2004. Clint loved everything about being their daddy and he was the first on the floor with them to play tea party or dress up. He coached them in t-ball and basketball, and was the loudest one cheering in the stands, sometimes getting mad at Shaun for yelling “too loudly.” He was a fierce competitor, but an even fiercer advocate. He was loyal to a fault and always tried to find the good in others.
When Clint and Shaun built their home in Mount Ayr, closer to the golf course, he opened his doors for everyone. He loved hosting and cooking. He thought he was a better cook than Shaun (and probably was thanks to his Grandma Eileen), so Shaun let him think that and he did most of it with her taking care of the baking and dishes. He loved to host his friends to play cards or watch the Hawkeyes.
The twin’s senior year when they got open campus, he enjoyed having a houseful for lunch. He often complained about the grocery bill, but he wouldn’t have had it any other way. He savored every moment with them – often texting Shaun about the antics and the funny stories he heard and saw at lunch. He adopted many kids throughout the years, and he made sure that they knew they always had a place in our home and a meal to come home to.
His world were his girls though, and he would do anything to make them happy. Shopping trips, watching endless plays when Shaun was directing, trips to Good Vibes with Tessa, cattle shows with Jillian, laying down with Tessa each night before bed, watching games with Jillian or movies with Shaun and taking her out to eat, Clint was always there for them all. His love was big and the hole he has left is enormous.
Clint passed away January 16, 2024. He was preceded in death by his father Ron Kniep, nephew Ben Dodge, mother-in-law Katie Hayse, brother-in-law, Randy Long, and nephew Jon Ecker.
Clint is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years Shaun, daughters Jillian and Tessa, mother Donna and Keith Moore, sisters Diane Long and Karla (Nic) Denney, step-mother Becky Kniep and step-brothers Scott, Rob, Todd and Tim and their families, step-brother Blake Moore and family, step-sister Tammy LaFratte and family, father-in-law Preston Hayse (friend Bobbi Bainum), brother-in-law Peter and Sally Hayse, nieces Amy Long and Heather Ecker, nephews Jason, Jeremy (Hailey) Long, Josh (Paige) Hancock, Nathan (Hayley) Hogue, Kyle and Tyler (Sharon) Hayse, great-nieces Madison Ecker, Rylann Long, Ivy Bessinine and Josie Long, great-nephews Hayden Ecker, Tyler Rexroth, Booker Hogue, and Brooks Hancock, special family friends Todd and Angie Glendenning, Hannah (Nathan) Weeda and Blair Glendenning, uncles, aunts, cousins, and many extended family members and friends who became family.
Memorials are in his name to be decided.
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