Jarod L. Knopik, age 30, of Farmington and formerly of Faribault, died suddenly on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, from bacterial meningitis.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 1 p.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Faribault, with the Revs. Don Reigstad and Lyndy West officiating. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home of Faribault on Monday, from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Jarod Lee Knopik, the son of Benedict and Marlys (Bultman) Knopik, was born on Jan. 22, 1975 in Faribault. He graduated from Faribault High School with the class of 1994 and attended Riverland Technical College in Faribault, receiving both machinist and mechanical drafting degrees. He married Diane (Ellertson) Carlson on July 1, 2000, in Apple Valley. Jarod had worked for Continental Machines in Savage since 1999. He loved being outdoors, biking, hiking, the mountains, sport shooting and was a member of the NRA. He enjoyed playing Texas Hold&8216;em poker, building things, being there to help family member with projects, and had received his First Responder Certification. Jarod mostly enjoyed his time at home with Diane and the kids.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Knopik of Farmington; step children, Ashley and Alex Carlson; parents, Ben and Marlys Knopik of Faribault; five brothers, Perry (and Kim) Knopik and children, Brandon, Trevor, Lacey, and Shaina Abrego, Adam (and Cyn) Knopik and their children, Holiday and Summer Knopik, Brian (and Laura) Knopik and Ivan Knopik, all of Owatonna, and Loren (and fiancee Kristen) Knopik of Coon Rapids; mother-in-law, Betty Ellertson of Albert Lea; brother-in-law, Scott (and Jody) Ellertson and their children, Jocelynn, Cory and Kate Ellertson of Albert Lea; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by half-brother, Troy; maternal grandparents, Glenn and Marie Bultman; paternal grandparents, Ben and Rose Knopik; father-in-law, Darrell Ellertson; and uncle, Jim Ellertson.