Neil J. Knust

Neil J. Knust, 80, of Howells, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Stanton Health Center.

Neil’s Mass will be live streamed to the funeral home Facebook page, just click the following link: https://www.facebook.com/SvobodaFH/

Memorials are suggested to the Knust Family for later designation.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Howells. Visitation will be on Friday, from 5 until 7 p.m. with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7 p.m., all at the church. Visitation will resume Saturday from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery with lunch following at the Howells Catholic Social Hall. Svoboda Moravec Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements for Neil's family.

Neil was born on March 1, 1946 to Joseph and Helen (Eusterbrock) Knust. He attended Sacred Heart Olean Academy through the eighth grade. After graduation from Howells High School in 1964, Neil attended Universal Trade School in Omaha for nine months. Neil entered the Army National Guard in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1971. He was employed at Hanel Oil in Howells while serving in the Army National Guard.

Neil met Joan Prokopec in May of 1970 and it was love at first sight. They were united in marriage on September 18, 1971 at S.S. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson, Nebraska.

After Neil and Joan got married, Neil remained employed at Hanel Oil in Howells for several years and farmed. After Neil decided he did not want to be a farmer, he set out on a new adventure. He was employed at Smeal Fire Apparatus in Snyder for 14 years before retiring.

Neil was a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Howells Knights of Columbus Council 5439 and Howells American Legion Post 155.

He enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends, traveling, square dancing and playing cards. Neil will always be remembered as a simple man with a kind heart.

He is loved deeply and will be missed beyond measure.

Neil is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Joan of Howells; Daughter Trina (Kevin) Brabec of Clarkson and family- Seth, Kiara and Owen Cech of Clarkson and Brayden Brabec of Clarkson; Daughter Kelly (Jim) Gall of Clarkson and family- Zach, Alessa, Shayla, and Ben Gall of Clarkson; Son Bryan Knust of Howells; Daughter Helen Westen and family- Henrik, Marcus, and Hanna, of Sweden; Granddaughter Katharina (Mick) Hill and Hailey of Germany; Sisters Joan Liekhus of Omaha and Janet Klein of Grand Island; Brothers and Sisters-In-Law Robert (Ann) Prokopec and Richard (Mary) Prokopec all of Clarkson, Debra Schwartz of Columbus and nieces and nephews as well as other relatives.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Helen Knust; parents-in-law Charles J. and Emma Prokopec; sister Carolyn Tourek; brothers-in-law Al Liekhus, Robert Klein, and Charles D. Prokopec.