Richard "Rick" Kneifel

Richard “Rick” Kneifel September 30, 1963 – September 14, 2026

Richard “Rick” Kneifel, 62, of Columbus, Nebraska, passed away on September 14, 2026, after courageously battling cancer for four years.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026 at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. Vigil  Wednesday, September 16 at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Thursday 9:30 a.m. until service time at Church. Military honors by The American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard. Interment is in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. 

Rick grew up in Columbus and graduated from Scotus Central Catholic High School in 1981. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in November 1982, completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was assigned to Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma, where he received his technical training as an Aerospace Physiology Specialist Instructor. Attaining the rank of Sergeant, he utilized a hyperbaric chamber as part of the training he provided to pilots while stationed at RAF Alconbury in the United Kingdom. He was honorably discharged in November 1988 at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.

After returning to Nebraska, Rick worked as a butcher at Main Street Market in Humphrey before becoming the owner and operator of Kneifel’s Meat & Processing, located south of Columbus. After closing his business, he worked at Columbus Hydraulics.

Rick enjoyed hunting, fishing, NASCAR, Nebraska football, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, and, most importantly, spending time with his loving family.

Rick is survived by his parents, Jerry and Janet Kneifel; his siblings, Tamara (Brian) Zimmerman, Doug (Kim) Obal, Lisa Paczosa, and Paula (Brian) Stuart; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Margaret and Joseph Soulliere and Pauline and Frank Kneifel

Rick will be remembered for his service to his country, his strong work ethic, his many interests, and the love he had for his family. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.