Thomas Joseph Kneip, age 82, of Brookings, died at home on Thursday, August 4, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial is 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 9, 2016, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish. A private family burial will be in the Elkton City Cemetery.

Tom was born on March 3, 1934, in Tyler, MN, to Frank and Bernice (Pederson) Kneip. He and his family moved to Arlington, SD when he was in the fourth grade. In 1952, Tom graduated from Arlington High School. After graduation, he entered the United States Air Force where he served as a crew chief helping with training.

On December 30, 1955, Tom married Eunice Strand in Bowbells, ND. The couple moved to Brookings where Tom owned and operated Kneip Motors for the next fifty years. Tom enjoyed politics and managed his brother Dick's campaign for Governor. Tom was a member of St. Thomas More Parish, the VFW, and the American Legion. He enjoyed SDSU athletics and had a true passion for visiting and meeting new people.

Survivors include his wife, Eunice; sons, Gary (Renee), and Jim all of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Bob of Arlington; and one sister, Joan Bennett of Brookings. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: James, Jack, Bill, Richard, and Charles; and one sister, Beverly.