Erwin Albert August Kniep

Erwin Albert August Kniep was born on March 26, 1921 to Kathrina Margreta Meinke Kniep and John William Kniep on a farm near Byron, Nebraska. Erwin grew up with two brothers (George and Harold) and three sisters (Louise, Olga, and Alice) on the farm, steeped in a deep faith in Jesus Christ. He was baptized on April 3, 1921 at St. Peter Lutheran Church by Pastor Schardt. The family moved to Monrovia, CA when he was a toddler, then back to Nebraska. At the age of eight they again moved back to Orange, California. He had many memories of California, including an earthquake. Because of the depression, they returned to Nebraska. After school, he worked on the farm with his father. Eventually he went to Lincoln Aeronautical Institute and learned aircraft sheet metal work. He accepted a job at Continental Aircraft in San Diego California. After recuperating from a near-fatal bout with appendicitis, he returned to California and worked until he was drafted. Erwin entered the Army Air Corp. in service to his country during World War II and served from Feb. 23 ^rd , 1943 to Jan. 9 ^th , 1946, as a Sergeant in a company of road engineers with much of his time spent in Burma and India. Erwin mentioned, in his biography, that "…bless the Lord, He is faithful no matter where in the world I may be." After being discharged, he returned home to marry his sweetheart, Florence Wauneta Schardt, daughter of Fred and Elsie Schardt. They were married at Peace Lutheran in Deshler on August 26, 1951. Erwin and Florence spent their married lives on the farm he grew up on, raising four children to carry on the tradition of faith and emulate the values of hard work and generosity. Erwin was very involved in the community, serving in many positions of leadership in their church, the school district, and the Byron Lions Club. He was active in many organizations, including the volunteer fire department, the American Legion, the Big Byron Advisory Council, the St. Peters’ Brotherhood, and sang in the men’s choir. Their children grew up to love their parents and love the Lord, carrying on the tradition of faith given them by Erwin and Florence. Their children include Daryl (Angela) Kniep of Naples, FL, Sandra (Paul) Weber of Omaha, NE, June (Kent) Gaston of Sioux Falls, SD, and Mark Kniep of Byron, NE. Erwin and Florence have been blessed with 13 grandchildren and continue to be blessed with great-grandchildren.

On October 7 ^th , 2015, Erwin went home to be with the Lord. In addition to his bride, children, and grandchildren Erwin is survived by his sister Olga Reinke, and sister-in-laws Loretta Kirchhoff, Wilma Schardt, Gladys Bohling, and Loretta Schardt.

Although our hearts are heavy with the loss, we celebrate the salvation that is Dad’s and ours through Jesus Christ and know that we will someday be reunited. Praise to the Lord!

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm, Sunday, October 18 ^th , at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, Nebraska with Pastor Cathi Braasch officiating. Internment will follow at Peace Lutheran’s cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 on Saturday, October 17 ^th , at Ahrendts Funeral Home in Deshler, Nebraska.

Dad loved his church and deeply appreciated the mission work of Franklin Graham. Memorial funds will be divided between Peace Lutheran and Samaritan’s Purse.