KNAZS, Peteris (1911-1954)

KANZS, PAULEN, KOPMAN

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 1/30/2014 at 13:56:13

Peter Knazs, Latvian, Dies at Mason City

Britt - Peter Knazs, 43, a displaced person from Latvia, died at a hospital in Mason City Thursday from a complication of ailments. Funeral services were incomplete at the Boughton Funeral Home.

Mr. Knazs was a guard in the British army during World War II and in 1945 was taken prisoner by the Germans. He came to the United States in June, 1951, and was living in a tenant house on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Matson southeast of Crystal Lake when he became ill.

Survivors include his wife Anna and two children, Marota and John, twins 8 years old.

Mr. Knazs was a member of the Nazarene Church in Britt where funeral services will be held.

source: Mason City Globe Gazette 10 Dec 1954 page 4

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Peter Knazs Dies, Was Latvian D.P. Here Only 3 Years

Funeral services for Peteris Knazs were held at the Church of the Nazarene, Saturday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. preceded by a prayer service at the Boughton Funeral Home. A prayer service was also held at the funeral home Friday evening. The Rev. James Adams delivered the funeral message and the Rev. Fritz Springis, of Lakota, a native of Latvia, offered a comforting message and interpreted Rev. Adams's sermon in the Latvia language for Mrs. Knazs and the two children. Interment took place in Crystal Cemetery at Crystal Lake.

Surviving are his wife Anneo, the two children, Marota and John, twins, eight years old. Also two brothers and one sister in Europe. His parents and other members of his family died during the war.

source: Britt News Tribune 15 Dec 1954 page 1

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Peter Knazs
Obituary

Peteris Knazs was born Sept. 7, 1911, a son to Jacob and Katherine Paulen Knazs at Siljarn Latvia. When an infant he was received into baptism, and was confirmed at an early age. He received his education in his native land where he grew to manhood.

For his occupation he followed that of his parents, farming, and seemed to be comfortably established when World War II broke out, and at that time he fled to Germany, later being placed in a concentration camp at Kandava. While there he was later under rule of the British Government and became a guard at the camp.

While at the concentration camp he met Miss Anneo Kopman, who became his bride on Dec. 15, 1945, their weeding taking place at Olga (Duetchland) Germany. Two children blessed this union.

In 1951 Mr. and Mrs. Knazs and children came to America, and in June of that same year, came to Britt and established their home on the Matson farm southeast of Crystal Lake, where they were employed by Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Matson.

Since coming to the States and to Hancock County, Mr. and Mrs. Knazs and children united with the Church of the Nazarene where they have been faithful members in attendance as well as in church activities.

Mr. and Mrs. Knazs have made many friends in both the Britt and Crystal Lake communities and had expressed their likes for America and the comforts and opportunities that have been placed before them.

Some sixteen months ago, Mr. Knazs suffered a fractured shoulder in an accident which caused him much distress. As a relief he submitted to surgery at Mason City and death came on the following day. Dec 9, as a result of a blood clot. He had reached the age of 43 years, 1 month and 29 days.

source: Britt News Tribune 22 Dec 1954 page 11