Albert Charles & Marie Isabell (Collins) DeKnikker

Albert Charles DeKnikker July 23, 1932 - December 12, 2021
Albert was born on July 23, 1932, in Pringle, South Dakota to Dorothy (Durston) DeKnikker and Adrian DeKnikker. He was the fourth child out of eleven, with six brothers and four sisters. Gene, Ed, Jim, Art, Caroline, Guy, Josephine, Esther, Bonnie and Lester. Albert attended Bull Flats School near Custer.
He worked as a ranch hand milking cows, branding, harvesting hay and such. In 1950 he had business at the Ralph Collins ranch where he met Marie Collins.
Marie Isabell (Collins) DeKnikker January 19, 1933 - November 11, 2020
Marie was born January 19, 1933, near Plainview, South Dakota to Florence Irna (Gabriel) Collins and Leo Leonard Collins. She was the eldest of five, with two sisters and two brothers. Bobby, Cleo, Marjorie and Jimmy. Marjorie passed as an infant.
Marie grew up on a sheep ranch and attended school in Faith and Zeal School graduating in 1951. She had been inspired by her sith grade teacher to become a teacher. She enrolled in Black Hills State Teachers College, graduating in 1965. 
June 9, 1952, Albert and Marie began their 68 year marriage. The two worked at Howes Store and Albert later worked at a sawmill.
Albert was drafted into the Army December 1952, served in Korea and attained his GED. Before his return from Korea they had their first child Charles in ‘53, then later Colin in ‘55, Calvin in ‘56, LaRetta in ‘58 and Clinton in ‘60.
Once discharged in October 1954, Albert held various construction jobs and eventually became foreman with the South Dakota State fencing crew. He wasn’t afraid of work and often took on a second job while on vacation from the first in addition to cultivating a huge garden at times.
Albert gave up many jobs so Marie could pursue her teaching dream which resulted in moving to Arizona, Central and Northern California, and eventually settling in Idaho. Marie had previously taught in South Dakota, Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada and Costa Rica. She retired from teaching in 1998, enjoyed traveling and seeing new places. 
While in California, Albert secured a position with County of Yolo as equipment operator and retired in 1979 moving North to become a hay farmer outside of Cedarville California until 2003. He said he had lived there longer than anywhere else in his life, 24 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, rodeo and being outdoors.
They spent the next 17 years outside Cambridge Idaho, trying to make that place what Marie had envisioned when they bought it.
Marie passed on November 11, 2020 after a bout with leukemia. She is survived by siblings Bobby Collins, Cleo DeKnikker and Jimmy Collins(Linda).
Albert passed December 12, 2021. He is survived by siblings Ed(Lillian), Esther, Bonnie and Lester.
Albert and Marie are survived by children Charles, Colin, LaRetta Coulter(Greg), Clinton (Stephanie) and a multitude of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
A joint celebration of life luncheon is scheduled for May 7, 2022 at the Faith Community Center 204  N. Main Street, Faith, South Dakota, at 11:00 am. A short thirty minute military service to follow May 9, 2022, at the Black Hills National Cemetary 20901 Pleasant Valley Dr. Sturgis, South Dakota at 10:45 am.

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