Knak, Anton (1866-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jul 18 p. 6

Birth date: 1866 Jul 11

text of obituary:

92-YR.-OLD RESIDENT OF HILLSBORO HOME DIES

Hillsgoro [sic Hillsboro], Kan. — Anton Knak, Sr., who observed his 92nd birthday on July 11, died last Sunday at the Salem Home for Aged here.

Funeral services were announced for Wednesday forenoon at the First Mennonite Church of Hillsboro.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jul 25 p. 8

text of obituary:

ANTON KNAK

This account was found among father's things:

"I, Anton Knak, was born July 11,1866, in West Prussia, Germany, in the village Tiege, near Tiegenhof. My parents were Peter and Regina Nest Knak. In my sixteenth year, in 1882, in mid-November, my oldest brother Edward and I left our home and parents and sailed for America. After 18 stormy days at sea we landed in New York. Shortly before Christmas we arrived at our uncle's at Hillsboro, Kansas.

"Here in this new land we attempted to make our living. In 1887 I was baptized upon the confession of my faith by Elder William Ewert and became a member of the Brudertal Church. On Oct. 7, 1890, I was united in marriage to Maria Nickel and to this union were born ten children, four sons and six daughters. In 1915 we were privileged to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary. In 1917 we transferred our membership from the Brudertal Church to the First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro. In this church also it was my privilege to work for the Lord as a Sunday School teacher and in other church work until I became old and because of failing health could not continue. In 1940 we had the privilege of celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary."

(The following had been added by his children.)

In 1950 father and mother celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. They were privileged to live together for 63 years. Mother passed away on Dec. 30, 1953.

In his later years father was faithfully cared for in his farm home by his youngest son, Pete, and wife, Martha. This service was much appreciated by father and the rest of the brothers and sisters.

On June 3, 1957, father moved to the home for the aged in Hillsboro. He was uncomplaining and appreciated all that was done for him.

Father passed to his eternal reward on Sunday, July 14, at 12:20 p. m., reaching the age of91 years and three days.

He leaves to mourn his departure 10 children: Marie, Mrs. Henry Epp, Newton; Wilhelm, Hillsboro, Martha, Mrs. Peter Schroeder, Hillsboro; Elizabeth, Mrs. S. Ralph Oliver, Newton; Gerhard, Hillsboro; Frieda, Newton; Anton, Hillsboro; Esther, Mrs. Arthur Penner, Hillsboro; Mildred, Mrs. Joe Jantz, Hillsboro; and Peter, Hillsboro. Also surviving are a sister, Mrs. Mary Warkentin, Newton; four sons-in-law, four daughters-in-law, 33 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

One sone-in-law [sic], three grandchildren, and give great-grandchildren preceded him in death.

We will miss him but we are glad he could answer the call of his God to come and to be with Him. He has been a long time with us and now he lives anew in the realms beyond. — The Children.