KNUDSEN, Hans C. (1857-1956)

KNUDSEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/24/2021 at 10:16:32

Hans Christian Knudsen
(March 30, 1857 – June 15, 1956)

Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, Iowa, Thurs., June 21, 1956, p.14
Obituary – Hans Christian Knudsen
Hans Christian Knudsen, son of Mathias Knudsen and Christina Hansen, was born on the small island of Keinas off the mainland of Denmark on March 30, 1857. He spent his childhood as most other children in Denmark as a young man he worked on the farm until he reached the age of 21. At this age he began a three year period of military training from which he received his discharge on September 14, 1881. Two months later, November 14, 1881, he set sail for the United States on the ship Lessing. Because the ship was damaged in a storm and driven off course, it was necessary to board a freighter which finally reached the New York harbor on December 28. A few days later, January 3, 1882, he arrived in Denison, Iowa, and lived with a cousin in Morgan Township. Shortly afterward he purchased 160 acres of prairie in Morgan Township in Crawford County. Here he set about the task of serving God, rearing a family and making a living in the country he loved and which he described as “the best country in the world.” One month before leaving for the United States, Oct 14, 1881, he was married to Anna Dorothea Andresen in the same Lutheran church in which he was baptized and confirmed. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Knudsen: Hans, Marie, and Catherine. Following a trip to their native land in 1905, they retired to the home they purchased on King St. in Ida Grove. Thirty years later his beloved wife died. His daughter, Catherine, lived with him since 1939. Mr. Knudsen was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Denmark on April 7, 1857, and was confirmed at the age of 16. He became a member of the Trinity Lutheran church, Grant Township in 1888 and transferred his membership to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove in 1900. He loved and served his church, serving as elder for 31 years. The Lord called him to rest before he reached the century mark which he hoped he might attain. The 99 years and 2 ½ months which he lived here were not only filled with blessings but were themselves a blessing from God whom he served. He leaves to mourn three children, Hans, Marie Schneider and Catherin Harto, 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and many friends. Funeral services were held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Wednesday at 2 p.m., with Pastor E. F. Dohrmann and Vicar Paul Donner officiating. Mrs. Lorene Abbe, Mrs. Lottie Kilker, Mrs. Erma Wissink and Mrs. Thekla Dohrmann sang “Rock of Ages” and “Nearer My God To Thee,” accompanied by Mrs. Betty Christie. Burial was in Grant Township Cemetery. Pall bearers were Hans Schneider, Edward Schneider, Albert Schneider, Hans C. M. Knudsen, Harry Iversen and Donald Harto.