A funeral Mass and gathering will be held for teacher and coach, Wayne Knipschield at 11:00AM Friday, August 9, 2013 at Pax Christi Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. Donald Schmitz officiating.   Wayne died early morning on August 6th, following a long illness. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church.  A luncheon will be served following the service.  Interment at Calvary Cemetery will be at 2:30 pm, and all friends and family are welcome to attend.

Wayne (Nipper) ,  was born in Madison Wisconsin July 13, 1925.  He moved to Rochester after his marriage to Willie(Gleesing) Knipschield on June 26th 1948, to assume a teaching and coaching position at Lourdes High School.   He coached there until 1957, when he accepted another coaching position at John Marshall High School in 1958, as well as teaching Driver's Education.  He remained there until 1987.

"Nip" was not only a good coach, but also an outstanding athlete.  He was inducted into his High School hall of fame (Edgewood High School, Madison Wisconsin) in 2000 for achievements in Basketball and Football.  He attended Loras College in Dubuque IA, and was inducted into their hall of fame in 1988, for outstanding performance in Football, Basketball, Track and Baseball.  In 1945, He set a college record for the longest rushing play for a touchdown (97 yards), which still stands to this day.

He was also an outstanding pitcher in Softball and Baseball, and was inducted into the Minnesota Fast Pitch Hall of Fame in 1988.  He was inducted into the Rochester Quarterbacks Club Hall of fame in 2005 for athletic contributions to Rochester Sports, and was a member of the Minnesota Coaches 25 year club.

Wayne is survived by his children, Terry (Mary) Knipschield and Bonnie (Larry) Smith; three grandchildren, Scott (Jennie) Biers, Matthew Knipschield, and Sarah Knipschield;  three great- grandchildren,  Amya , Alex and Amelia Biers, and a nephew, Robert Strander of Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Juanita Knipschield, and his wife Willie (Gleesing) Knipschield.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com