Obituary of Willi K. Knaupp

Willi Knaupp was born to Friedrich and Frieda Knaupp on September 30, 1925 in Hegenlohe, a picturesque village in southern Germany. He was the fourth child in a family of seven. They were a close-knit family who together worked the family farm. They attended small house meetings and the children were taught God’s word. While still a teen, Willi was drafted into the army. In a foxhole near Bastogne during the carnage of the Battle of the Bulge, he made a promise to God that if he lived, he would serve Him. Willi’s right arm was seriously wounded in that battle, but his life was spared, and he was able to return home before the end of the war in 1945. Willi loved the outdoors and all things green and flowering. He loved the beautiful woods and orchards that surrounded his little town. In spite of the severe injury to his arm, he was given the opportunity to become a tree surgeon. Mindful of his promise, he continued to attend the house meetings where he heard God’s word. He realized that he was not living fully for Jesus and came to understand that he had to make a total commitment to Christ. By God’s grace, he chose to follow Jesus. Attending the same house meetings was Marianne Roos, the oldest daughter of another farmer, who lived in a neighboring village. They had been acquainted since childhood. When she was 19, this brave young woman left her small village and loving family to start a new life in New York City. Willi could not live without her, and in 1953, to the dismay of his parents and siblings, joined her in New York. Within days of his arrival in America they were married. He started working in a meat processing plant in Jamaica, Queens a few days later. Willi knew no English, but Marianne had already attended night school and was determined to master the language. Willi also took English classes, and many of us remember a few of his first English sentences, “The early bird catches the worm” and “Watch your steps please!” Although he spoke English well, he never mastered the “W” sound that he was working on in school. His accent stayed with him his entire life. Some of his grandkids can tell you exactly how he said those two first English sentences! Marianne’s sister, Hilde, and her husband Horst Riess joined them as the only other family members to immigrate to the U.S. The two families share many happy memories. The newlyweds settled in Glendale and heard of a German congregation in nearby Ridgewood. Meetings were conducted in their native language. They soon began attending the Ridgewood Pentecostal Church. They continued to faithfully attend church in Ridgewood when they moved to Franklin Square. They also attended the Floral Park Pentecostal Church. They were blessed with 3 children, Elizabeth, William, and Judith. Willi and Marianne lived an exemplary life before their children. They stood together in their faith and were really a picture of what a perfect marriage should be. Willi taught his children many important lessons. He worked hard to provide for his family, leaving for work before sunrise but never without reading his Bible and spending time in prayer. Although the week was long, and he was surely tired by Friday night, he faithfully brought his family to Friday night meeting. He maintained his love for the outdoors and loved to garden, prune his own (or anyone else’s) trees, and take walks outside. He transferred this love to his children and grandchildren! Marianne died of cancer at age 51. Willi demonstrated his faith and trust in God to his family during this difficult time in his life. In 1984, Willi married Theresa Wahl. The couple returned to Glendale where they lived with and cared for Tessie’s elderly parents until their deaths. Soon after, they relocated to West Hempstead to be closer to their children. They served in the church together as treasurer and secretary for many years. Willi was always willing to help where help was needed. He particularly loved Pilgrim Camp where he spent time every spring and fall for many years, gardening on the grounds before and after the season. Willi still considered Germany his home, and he and Tessie often travelled there to spend time with family. Their lives were made very lively with the addition of seven grandchildren and, more recently, two great-grandchildren. Opa was there to drive to school, teach skiing, play games, and read stories; but most importantly, he was there to pray. He prayed daily for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and was an example of a godly man to each and every one. As he got older, you would often find him sitting in his chair just reading the Bible. At a doctor’s appointment a few years ago, the doctor asked him what he liked to do. He responded, “Read the Bible.” The doctor asked, “What else?” His response was, “What else is there to do?” Over the last few years of his life, Willi was afflicted with worsening dementia. God was gracious and made a way for him to be able to stay in his own home, cared for by his wife, family, and faithful aide, Joe. Until a few days before his death, Willi was still able to sing “Immer Fröhlich,” a favorite German hymn, at bedtime. He daily sang of the joy that we have as children of the heavenly father. Willi was peacefully taken to heaven on April 12, 2021. We are all thankful for the legacy we have. We are thankful for the man he was and for the lessons he taught us. He touched many lives and was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, brother-in-law and friend. May we all learn to follow his example to love and serve our heavenly Father. Willi is survived by his beloved wife Theresa, his brother Fritz (Else), and his children Elizabeth (James), William (Martha), and Judith. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Gregory (Renata), Kirsten (Joseph), Christopher, Melissa, Andreas, Mariana, and Nicolas, and by his great-grandchildren Sophia and James.