Thomas Paul Knecht, 70

Thomas P. Knecht passed on Nov. 8, 2026, at home, surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer.

Tom was born Feb. 28, 1956, in Valley City, N.D., to Lois and Bill Knecht. As a child, he moved to Montana with his family, first to Carter, then, at the age of 7, to Fort Benton, where he graduated in 1974.

Tom married Peggy Leazenby in 1978. They later divorced. They had three children together, Mack, Amanda and Onie. Tom worked at various farms and ranches throughout Central Montana.

In January of 2002, Tom met Dorene and moved to Washington to live with her in 2005. He worked for Pioneer Feed in Ridgefield until 2013, when they moved to Harrison, Idaho. Tom and Dorene were married in 2014. He retired from the Country Store in Coeur d’Alene in 2023. Tom enjoyed buying vehicles, rebuilding them, and tinkering with cars and tractors. He was amazing at carpentry.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lois Knecht, his in-laws, Gene and Dorothy Davis, his brother, Mike Knecht, his brother-in-law, Lanny Campbell and his grandchildren, Aubrey Gjerswold and Curtix Faw.

Tom is survived by his wife, Dorene Knecht; children: Mack and Missy Knecht, Amanda Knecht and Kenny Miller, Onie Knecht; stepchildren, Stephanie and James Mead, Vickie and Craig Alexander, Lori Stafford and Chase Anderson; grandchildren, Kenzie, Neil, Otelia, Xavier, Jaxen and Pat; stepgrandchildren, Isaiah, Gavin, Hunter and Ella; his siblings, Steve and Caro Knecht, Beth Campbell, Billie and Gordon Peterson; sister-in-law Sharon Davis and an abundance of beloved nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign Tom’s online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.