Leslie James Knobloch, 57, of Brookings walked into everlasting peace on Wednesday evening March 19, 2008 at his home. Honored to be by his side were his wife of 30 years, Kathy, and his beloved children, Jesse and Jalyn. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, with interment around 3:30 p.m. in the Lake Whitewood Cemetery at Arlington, South Dakota. Visitations will be from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Leslie was born on November 20, 1950 in Rock Rapids, Iowa to Dietrich and Doris (Oihus) Knobloch. He grew up on various farms near Arlington, South Dakota and attended area country schools prior to graduating from Arlington High School in 1969. One of his fondest memories during this time was playing on the Cardinals 1968 State B basketball championship team. He received a scholarship to play football at South Dakota State University where he majored in civil engineering. He later earned his license in aviation maintenance at Lake Area Vo-Tech. He and his first wife relocated to Tucson, Arizona where he worked repairing airplanes. Les moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1974 where he was employed by the Trans Alaska Pipeline Project maintaining and operating heavy equipment. He married Kathy Lynch at Harding Lake, Alaska on June 28, 1977. They moved to Brookings and gave birth to their son, Jesse, in 1978. They returned to Fairbanks in 1980 and gave birth to their daughter, Jalyn, in 1982. Les and Kathy raised their family there while Les worked extensively throughout Alaska. He continually marveled at the states natural wonders and savored its majestic beauty. In 1998, he graduated from South Dakota State University with B.S. degrees in Computer Science and Business Economics. In 2003, he developed Catastrophic AntiPhospholipid Syndrome, a blood clotting disorder, which he lived with bravely for the last five years of his life. He displayed immense courage throughout his life, particularly near the end. He earned the respect and admiration of health care professionals, community members, friends, and family who witnessed his fierce determination to persevere. Above all, he refused to let his losses become his limitations. He belonged to the Disabled Student Organization at South Dakota State University and was a member of the Local 302 International Union of Operating Engineers. During his lifetime, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, mining, cooking, playing sports, collecting coins, playing cards, caring for animals, riding motorcycles, and cruising in his Hoveround. He had an insatiable appetite for the nightlife and could always find a reason to celebrate. Les made many friends in his life and cherished every one of them. Most importantly, he adored and remained close to his large family. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Kathy of Madison, Wisconsin; his children, Jesse, of Brookings, and Jalyn of Barryville, New York; his father, Dietrich, of Brookings; his siblings, Joan (Garry) Thompson of Pierre, South Dakota, Bruce Knobloch of Arlington, South Dakota, Carol Knobloch of Seattle, Washington, Brenda Welch of Huron, South Dakota, John (Lauri) Knobloch of Brookings, and Gretchen (Mike) Aspon of Brookings; numerous aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and brother, Doris and Timothy. We love and miss you very much. We look forward to the day when we will be with you again.