Knafelc, Frank

Frank "Digger" Knafelc passed away June 6, 2010 at Life Care 
Center of Reno due to complications after a fall in his home in 
Puerto Vallarta. He was 95 years old.

Digger was born June 18, 1914 in Pueblo, Colorado, to Primoz 
and Agnes Knafelc. He was a professional heavy weight boxer 
whose many titles included Golden Gloves 1936, AAU 1936 and 
1937, and South Pacific Champion 1943. He was never knocked 
down in the ring. In December 1941, Digger began his proud 
service to his country by enlisting in the Marine Corps during 
World War II. He served in the South Pacific with the VSMB — 
243, a group which called themselves the Flying Goldbricks. In 
his long life, he was able to attend many of the reunions 
including the 64th. During his service in the Marine Corps he 
trained boxers. He remained friends with many of them 
throughout his life. He maintained his own stable of boxers 
after the war.

Digger owned liquor stores and ran a family tavern in Pueblo, 
Colorado. He also worked for the Colorado Fuel and Iron 
Corporation, Pepsi, Schlitz and Coors distributors. Digger came 
to Reno in 1958 where he owned and managed O.K. 
Distributors in Reno and Truckee, California, which distributed 
Coors, other beers and both imported and domestic wines. He 
started the first recycling plant in Reno and created the "Litter 
Critter," a mascot to teach children in local elementary schools 
the importance of recycling.

Digger loved the Reno Rodeo, only missing one year of Rodeo 
season since 1960. He was the President of the Reno Rodeo 
Association in 1977 and served on the Board of Directors for 
many years.

He served as President of the Nevada Beer Wholesalers 
Association and served on the board of the Rocky Mountain 
Beer Wholesalers and the National Beer Wholesalers 
Associations. He was a member of B.P.O.E. #597, Hidden Valley 
Country Club, Crystal Bay Yacht Club, and The Prospectors 
Club.

Many of Digger's friends know him as an avid golfer who truly 
loved the game and would be surprised to know that he didn't 
start golfing until he was 77 years old. He got a hole-in-one 
and during the interview was asked what his handicap was. He 
simply replied, "Myrlen Ann." He was an exceptional dancer and 
all the ladies loved to dance with him. He was never without a 
twinkle in his eye and a genuine smile on his face.

Digger loved to see new places and was lucky to have traveled 
a great deal of the world. He also called many different places 
home. He and his wife owned a beautiful cabin at Lake Tahoe 
at which Digger loved spending time. They wintered on Kauai, 
Hawaii, for 32 years. In 2005, they bought a condominium in 
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Digger loved Puerto Vallarta for the 
sun and their many new friends there.

Digger was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. 
He was a gentle giant with a great sense of humor and was 
deeply loved by everyone who knew him.

Digger is preceded in death by his parents, brothers John 
Knafelc, Joe Knafelc, Prince Knafelc, and sister Agnes Gilbert, all 
of Pueblo, Colorado; sons Goodwin Richard Knafelc and Dr. 
Thomas A. Knafelc of Reno, Nevada.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Myrlen Ann; 
grandchildren Laura Knafelc and Jeffrey Knafelc of Reno, 
Nevada, Kara Knafelc (Kevin Harris) of Oakland, California, G. 
Matthew Knafelc and great granddaughters Harmony Ann and 
Crystal Knafelc of Matfors, Sweden; daughters-in-law Sue 
Knafelc (John Erickson) and Fran Ulm; nephews Jack Knafelc 
(Shirley) of Pueblo, Colorado, and Gary Knafelc (Emily) of Green 
Bay, Wisconsin; niece Joanne Bowen of Colorado Springs, 
Colorado; numerous great-nieces and -nephews; and, of 
course, many caring friends.

We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Life Care for their 
incredible kindness. Words are inadequate to thank them for 
the support, love, and comfort they provided for both Digger 
and Myrlen Ann.

Please join us to celebrate this wonderful man's life on 
Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at 4:00 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual 
Living, 4685 Lakeside Drive.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Digger's Memory to 
the Reno Rodeo Foundation, 500 Ryland Street, Suite 200, 
Reno, Nevada 89502. Digger was always proud of the 
Foundation's accomplishments. Please sign Frank's guestbook 
at RGJ.com.

Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on June 10, 2010