Obituary of James Russell Knecht

Jim Knecht of Rosemount, MN passed away Sunday, December 3, 2023.  He was born on August 25, 1938 in Hartford City, Indiana, the son of Robert and Dorothy Knecht. He spent his teenage years in the small town of North Liberty, IN where he met his wife Rosalee (Buss) Knecht. After a year at Ball State, he worked for his parents at the North Liberty grain elevator. Jim and Rosalee were married on January 17, 1959, and had three daughters; Melinda Ullrich, Tammy Schultz, and Cindy (Steve) Edgerton. 

He then started a career managing Goodyear Tire stores in Woodridge, IL, Michigan City, IN, and Kankakee, IL. From there he was promoted to work at the Goodyear corporate office with a transfer to Minnesota. The family moved to Apple Valley, MN and Jim soon decided that corporate life wasn’t for him, so he returned to managing a Goodyear store in Eagan, MN.  The company he worked for built a new Goodyear store in Apple Valley, MN which Jim also managed.  When he had the opportunity to purchase both stores, he went into business for himself.  Eventually he also built a store in Burnsville, MN and purchased the store in Faribault, MN. He ran a successful business and became well known in the community as a fair and honest businessman. Rarely could the family go anywhere in the community without Jim knowing someone and stopping to chat!  By the time he was 55, he had sold all of his stores and planned to retire.  However, he was bored, so he took a position as the Regional Director of the National Tire Dealer Association where he was able to support tire dealership owners and managers, many with whom he had made strong friendships with through the years.  

Cabin ownership started for Jim and Rosalee in 1996 and northern MN became a home away from home. Jim was very happy on his pontoon and working in the yard at the cabin.  He loved keeping his lawns beautiful and could be found helping friends in their yards as well. For many years, Jim and Rosalee also spent a month or more in Estero, FL and welcomed many visitors during their stays. They loved their adventures together at the beach and the pool and so many fun times and dinners with friends in the Florida sun.  They also traveled to many wonderful places, often earning a free trip through Goodyear for being a top dealership.  They traveled to Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, Mexico, Hawaii, Hong Kong, China, Napa Valley, several cruises, Nassau, and a good number of states in the U.S.  

Jim was so proud of his daughters, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. He is survived by grandchildren Nikki (Eric) Holst, Andrew (Alison) Ullrich, Nate (Amber Perela) Ullrich, Kaitlin (Jay) Harding, Jamey (Danielle) Glewwe, Matthew Schultz, and Tyler Glewwe and great grandchildren Mattie, Wyatt, Nolan and Julia.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Tammy Schultz, and sisters Kathleen Lehker and Deborah Simmons. He is survived by siblings Beth Norris (Indiana), Andrea (Gerry) Wharton (Georgia), and Robert (Jan) Knecht, (Indiana) along with many nieces and nephews and their children. 

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Friday, December 15 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN.  Visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. with a service following at 11:00 a.m. Guests are invited to stay for a luncheon after the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memoriam donations to Minnesota Hospice Foundation Ways to Give or Dementia Society of America at Donate Online.