Lucille E. Knievel
Lucille E. Knievel

Visitation was on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. Vigil Service.
Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements. Lucille died Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Heritage of Bel Air in Norfolk. Lucille Edith (Schmit) Thramer Knievel, was born on Dec. 16, 1929, in McLean to Cornelius and Gertrude (Billerbeck) Schmit. She was raised on a farm and graduated from Osmond High School. Lucille attended Wayne State College for both her undergrad and Master of Education degrees. She was a lifelong educator. She taught at numerous country schools, at Grant Elementary, and was the principal at Monroe Elementary during her 41-year education career, retiring in 1991. Lucille married Gregory Francis Thramer in 1956 and to that union five children were born, Tim, Ted, Lynn, Annette, and Terry. Greg passed away in 1974. In 1983, Lucille married Joseph Knievel, and he passed away on June 1, 2010. Lucille was a devoted traditional Catholic, serving God at her church and teaching Sunday School. She greatly enjoyed spending time with her family. Lucille usually wintered in Texas and every summer held the annual family get-together when she was back in Nebraska. She traveled all over the United States, to Australia, Rome, and the Holy Land. Spending time outdoors and taking care of her home was also important to her. She loved gardening, tending to her flowers, creating stained glass pieces, and was an all-around talented crafter.
She is survived by her children, Tim (Lorraine) Thramer, Ted (Cindy) Thramer, Lynn (Marcus) Dennis, Annette (Daniel) Bentzinger, and Terry (Penny) Thramer; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her siblings, Ann McHugh, William 'Father Roger' Schmit, Rita Aschoff, Jerome (Pat) Schmit, and Norbert (Pat) Schmit; sister-in-law, Lucille Schmit; her stepchildren, Christopher Knievel and his partner Karen Lund, Steven Knievel, Edward Knievel, Paul Knievel, Rosemary (Lloyd) Schoolfield, Connie (Mike) Dvorak, Donna (Jim) Knievel-Kamas, Katherine (Kent) Fry, Theresa (Dale) Mackel, Ann Marie Knievel (fiancé Paul Davis), and Rita (Alan) Weiss.
Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Greg Thramer and Joe Knievel; daughter-in-law, Deb Thramer; siblings, Vincent Schmit, Evelyn 'Sister Barbara' Schmit, Henry 'Hank' Schmit, Sister Lucretia Schmit, and Cornelius Schmit; sisters-in-law, Shirley Schmit and Carolyn Schmit; and brothers-in-law, Lawrence McHugh and John Aschoff.
Lucille volunteered for many years at Birthright in Norfolk. Donations are welcome in her name and can be sent to: Birthright, 301 N. 4th St. Ste 260, Norfolk, NE 68701.