Knaphus Family Reunion
Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday, July 27, 2002

About 125 attended the Andrew L. and Torleif S. Knaphus Family Reunion at the LDS Stake recreational facility located on Sunnyside Avenue. Many traveled long distances to be part of the reunion. Games and activities were planned for the young children while the adults visited.

There was a table of Norwegian memorabilia shown by David Humphrey and Marie James. Family History Books and scrapbooks were shown as well. Family relationships of the siblings of Torleif and Andrew were shown (see-attached listing of Lars & Liva's children and grandchildren).

After lunch the program, coordinated by Bryan Gerritsen, was as follows:

• John Gerritsen reviews Proposed Goals for the Knaphus Family Organization (see the attached and approved goals of the organization)
  
  
• Description of www.knaphusfamily.org by Tyler Gerritsen (Torleif's great Grandson; Marie James' grandson through her son John)
  
  • Family members are encouraged to use the site and contribute to it. We need photos, family histories, and other information.
  • We will put the current copy of the electronic newsletter on the Web page.
  • Comments and suggestions are welcome -this is your web page for the Knaphus family.
    
• Update on Genealogy Work by Allen Gerritsen (Torleif's Grandson through Marie James)
  • Only the direct line of genealogy work has been entered into Personal Ancestral File (PAF) and is available on www.knaphusfamily.org.
  • This only represents about 25% of the entire work which Torleif and Andrew have done. It has taken us about 2 years to get this far. We still have a lot to do.
  • Contributions are needed for this work. Please send in your tax-exempt contributions to:
    
    Knaphus Family Organization
    C/O Becky Beddoes, Sec. & Treasurer
    8805 South 1595 East
    Sandy, Utah 84093
    
  • Thanks for your financial contributions and interest in continuing this great work which Torleif and Andrew started.
• Memories of Andrew by Naomi Clifford (daughter of Andrew)
  
  • After Torleif married Millie, they wrote Andrew (in Norway) who came to America. Later, Andrew married Millie's sister Myrtle. So the families were double cousins. After Andrew was baptized, Torleif confirmed him a member of the church.
  • Naomi grew up with the last 5 of 12 children by Andrew and Myrtle.
  • Andrew was a house painter and wallpaper hanger. One funny story was when Mrs. Johansenıs bedroom was painted the day earlier. When Mr. Johansen came home, he placed his dirty hands on the newly painted wall of the bedroom. When Andrew came to paint the next day, Mrs. Johansen said to Andrew to come into the bedroom and see where Mr. Johansen put his hands the previous evening. Andrew said, "Oh, no. I jest come to paint."
  • Andrew loved to fish and set trap lines for muskrats and beavers.
  • Andrew and Myrtle never turned anyone away from their door and had 'regular' transients and Native Americans come by their home. They were generous.
  • Andrew and Myrtle never yelled and never spanked. Their house was filled with love always.
  • Andrew often sent money for the genealogy work for Torleif and their ancestral lines.
  • Myrtle always knew when someone was going to die or who had passed on. When Millie tragically died, Torleif appeared to Myrtle and she knew Millie had died.
  • Naomi showed a picture, which Andrew painted of the view from their farm in Norway. She also showed the last pair of wooden shoes which Lars handmade for Andrew. He would always give the children wooden shoes and an orange for Christmas.
  
  
• Mary Knaphus (Torleif's great grand daughter-in law) sang some beautiful songs for the group. She has even produced a CD!
  
  
• Memories of Torleif by Norman Knaphus (Torleif's oldest son of the 'younger' family)
  • Memory Grove in SLC was one of Torleif's favorite places to walk. He used to skip rocks across the pond. He would often take his children on walks and outings to Liberty Park, Fairmont Park, Lagoon, Ensign Peak, etc.
  • Torleif loved the out-of-doors.
  • He was both a Father and a Mother to his older children.
• Memories of Andrew by Sonia Jorgensen (Andrew's granddaughter; Nina's daughter); Sonia also sang a beautiful song from the musical Cats.
  • Andrew had a strong testimony of the Gospel.
  • Myrtle made great cinnamon rolls; she'd never forget birthdays.
  • Andrew would sing funny Norwegian songs; enjoyed fishing - and went a lot. Always wore his loose cute hat.
  • Andrew would like 'vafflers' as he called them; he even enjoyed frozen waffles.
  • Andrew loved the Norwegian composer Edvard Greig's music.
  • Andrew & Myrtle were funny, honest and trustworthy.
  • Andrew started painting art when he was 64 years old; he displayed his art in the Richfield courthouse.
  • Grandpa liked chocolate and gave guests a piece of chocolate - but just one.
  • Grandma Myrtle would make 'new' clothes out of old ones; she loved roses; she had a hug for everyone.
• A Fishing Story of Andrew by Jack Knaphus (Torleifıs youngest son of the 'older' family)
  • Andrew was fishing at Fish Lake. At that time it was illegal to fish after 9 PM. A man behind Andrew said, "Well, should we go now?" Andrew said in his strong Norwegian accent, "Jest vun moore cast". After the next cast, the man asked again, "Should we go now?" "Jest vun moore cast," was his reply. After 5-6 more casts, the man stepped up and gave him a ticket since he was the Forest Ranger.
• Memories of Torleif by John Knaphus (Torleif's grandson; Jack's son)
  • Torleif liked sardines ­ John couldn't believe anyone could like sardines!
  • Torleif, even 37 years after his death, has instilled a family closeness. And he has taught many things to the family about family history and temple work. Torleif would always have a prayer before going to the temple.
  • He remembers Torleif was hard to understand his English, but one could understand his love, which Torleif shared, with all.
  • Torleif helped us all appreciate and share a strong feeling about the handcart pioneers.
  • Torleif felt strongly about tithing and paid it faithfully; he also dedicated 5% of his income to do genealogy work for his ancestors. The dollar amounts have changed over the years, but the percentage has not.
  • About his genealogy work, Torleif wrote: "I have also taken the greatest of care for this record's safekeeping, as I value it very highly. And I trust that it will always be preserved and someone of my descendants will likewise care for its safety and the continuation of this important work...a crowning joy has come to me on account of this work... I have been grateful above words of ... expression that the Temples have been built and the condition has been so that I have been able to do this great work.  And, Although I have spent an immense amount of time concentrating and working, yet it has seemed like the blessings of the Lord have been with me so my family or my art work have not been neglected on account of this great work accomplished." Signed Torleif S. Knaphus -July 22, 1937
• Thoughts by Brad Knaphus (Torleif's great grandson; Kim's grandson; Richard's/Dick's son)
  • Shared with the group an article he had read on the Hill Cumorah Monument and a little of how he came about developing it. (A future newsletter will feature this great monument).
• David Humphrey taught the group the Norwegian National Anthem: Ja, vi elsker dette landet. David and Norman Knaphus sang it to the group.
  
  
• Travis Gerritsen gave the closing prayer.
  
  Thanks to all that came to the reunion and helped out in any way. It was a great way to help "...turn the hearts of the children to their fathers".