Knaphus Family Organization · Knaphus Family Organization Knaphus Family Organization Fall 2006 8th Edition Page 1 of 14 Next Page Operational Functions of the KFO Knaphus Family

Knaphus Family Organization

Knaphus Family Organization Fall 2006 8th Edition

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Operational Functions of the KFO Knaphus Family Web Page - Check out the new look of the KFO Home Page and the added information on Torleif’s “Histories” page. Your suggestions and com-ments are encouraged. Knaphus Family Newsletter – This semi-annual news-letter and the Family Web Page are intended for any de-scendant of the Knaphus family. Submissions of histo-ries or photos from the families of Torleif’s siblings are welcome. Please update your email and mailing infor-mation so we can stay in touch with you. Fund-Raising Activities – To help support the Purposes of the KFO, we offer reproductions of Torleif’s smaller statues and plaques (see the KFO Store ). Some of the handcart art pieces are also being displayed and sold at the Church History and Art Museum Gift Shop in SLC.

This Fall 2006 KFO Newsletter is one of our best yet. Thanks to all of you who contributed, we have a full Family News Section that gives updates of what’s new in your lives. There are photos that have been submit-ted, contributing articles, a “Family Spotlight” from Elling and Joan Knaphus, and even a talk that was given by David Humphrey at the Norwegian Constitution Day Celebration last May. Thanks for helping make this a wonderful edition of our semi-annual newsletter.

I’d like to tell you about several things that are happen-ing with the Knaphus Family Organization:

Family Web Page - You might notice that the Home Page at knaphusfamily.org has a new look with a lot more information now. Also, the “Histories” Page under “Torleif” has many links to stories of his life. Check out our “new” web page and let us know what you think.

Family CD-ROM/DVD - One of the major goals of the KFO is to put together a digital “Book of Remembrance” with histories and photos. Spencer & Beth Humphrey (Bill & Sharla’s son and daughter-in-law) are help-ing with this. We’re hoping it’ll be avail-able within a year.

Donation to the National Museum of Art in Oslo – The KFO is working on getting outside donations for a reproduction of Tor-leif’s original-sized (1926) “Handcart Pio-neers” statue for the museum. We’ll keep you updated as this project progresses.

Direction and Goals for the KFO – There was a survey given to a randomly selected group of the KFO membership in June, which asked that they prioritize the KFO Objectives. (See the article in this newslet-ter.) The KFO Board of Directors are draft-ing Goals based upon those suggestions.

Note from KFO Chairman—pg. 1 Handcart Pioneer Statue—pg.2 Family Reunion— pg. 2 Joyce Knaphus Memorium—pg. 2 Family News—pg. 3 Returning to Our Roots—pg. 5

Talk on Torleif Severin Knaphus—pg. 6 KFO History (Geneological) Efforts—pg. 11 Have They Lost Their “Census” —pg. 13 Setting Direction for the KFO—pg. 13 KFO Leadership—pg. 14

A Note from the KFO Leadership by John Gerritsen, KFO Chairman

Dear Fellow Knaphus Family Members,

How saddened we were at the recent passing of Aunt Joyce but so grateful to have known her and to have had her in our lives – what an angel. We wish the best for Uncle Jack and their entire family.

In June we had a successful Knaphus Reunion, which was hosted by Sherrie & Mark Goaslind and their family. We thank them for such a great event. It was fun to tour the old Knaphus family home at 1446 Redondo Avenue and to have the games, displays and “good eats” at the park by Edgehill Ward. The booklet “Memories of the Knaphus Family Home”, “the Children of Torleif” and the descendant chart with photos are now on the web page for you to see or download.

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This helps focus the KFO resources and ac-complishes the Objectives.

Selling of Torleif’s Small Art Pieces - Re-productions of the handcart-themed art pieces are being sold at the Church History and Art Museum Gift Shop during the Hand-cart Pioneers’ art exhibit. The KFO gets some of the proceeds. Encourage your friends who show interest, to purchase some of Torleif’s artwork. Have them check out the “KFO Store” on the family website. Note that family members get a reduction off of the listed prices.

Family History Efforts – See the article herein about the progress of one of the main KFO Purposes – Family History. There are even ways you too can help with this work.

“Handcart Pioneers” Statue in Iowa – Check out the article in this newsletter about the reproduction of Torleif’s “Handcart Pio-neers” Statue at the beginning of the hand-cart trek trail in Iowa. What a great tribute!

Finally, on behalf of the KFO, thank you for your sup-port, both financially and with your time. It is an honor to be part of a family organization that has a distinct di-rection and such support from its members – like YOU! It’s great to be part of the Knaphus heritage.

May you and your family have the rest of a good year.

Best regards, John Gerritsen KFO Chairman

A New “Handcart Pioneers” Statue in Iowa

The Mormon Historic Sites Foundation has sponsored several events and projects in Iowa this year in com-memoration of the sesquicentennial of the pioneer hand-cart trek. They wanted a smaller version of Torleif S. Knaphus’ “Handcart Pioneers” statue, which is on Tem-ple Square. Torleif’s statue is 1½ life-size and they wanted a life-size statue.

Noted sculptor Stan Watts was commissioned to copy the piece. He has done the smaller versions of Torleif’s “Handcart Pioneers” statue with the KFO Board of Di-rectors’ approval. Even though the “Handcart Pioneer” statue is not copyrighted, in honor of Torleif S. Knaphus, Stan Watts sought permission from the KFO Leadership to copy the piece. On the statue in Iowa, they have graciously given Torleif recognition for sculpting the original. Although not required or ex-pected, the artist is giving the KFO a small amount as a courtesy royalty.

The statue was placed on the grounds of the new Mar-

riott Hotel in Coralville (outside of Iowa City) in the first part of September. It is adjacent to the Johnson County Historical Museum, which has a new diorama on the handcart pioneers. That region is where the handcart pioneers started their trek in 1856. To see photos of the “Handcart Pioneers” statue in Iowa Click Here.

2006 Family Reunion Knaphus Family Reunion

A special thanks goes to Sherrie & Mark Goaslind and their family for their great work on the 2006 Knaphus Family Reunion in June. It was a well-attended and fun event. They put a lot of planning

and effort into it – what a wonderful occasion for all ages!

Rowena & Don Aina and their family have accepted the assignment for the 2008 Knaphus Family Reunion.

In Memory Joyce Roberts Knaphus 1933 ~ 2006

Legacy of Love You gave so

much and asked so little.

Joyce Roberts Knaphus passed away peacefully in the early morning of Sep-tember 6th, surrounded by the comfort of her family. Joyce waged a courageous battle with an aggressive cancer, while she was at-tending to her husband's fail-ing health.

Joyce was born March 27, 1933 to Garrwood Rex and Thelma Roberts. She married John H. (Jack) Knaphus September 26, 1949. They were sealed in the SLC Tem-ple, and are just 2 1/2 weeks shy of their cherished 57th anniversary. Joyce and her husband Jack have created a

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Note: All family members are encouraged to submit Knaphus Family News items. Deadlines for submission are by the end of summer and end of winter for the re-spective fall and spring editions of the newsletters. Even though this time we have only received family news from Torleif’s family, we encourage submissions of from any Knaphus descendant.

Torleif S. Knaphus’ Family: Kim (& Lois) Knaphus’ Family: Richard (Dick) Family: Daughter Sherrie (& Mark) Goaslind’s son, Daniel left on a mission September 6th to Toronto East Canada, English speaking, mission. Daughter Heather (& Cameron) Poole live in Vernal, Utah now and are try-ing to sell their home in Colorado. On July 11 they had Hannah Faith Poole who weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. She even sleeps through the night. Older siblings, Amanda, J.J. and Grace adore her.

Linda Duncan Family: Linda has 12 grandchildren (6 boys and 6 girls). Son Todd (& Dana) Spotz’s oldest two daughters, Sarah and Sharlene are both in college. Daughter Melanie (& Steve) Heinitz live in Montana. Their old-est son, Nathan returned home from a mission to Ecua-dor in February. Their oldest daughter, Bonnie (& Ty-ler) Weeks had their first baby, Kimball Weeks on April 8 and then graduated 3 weeks later from BYU in Physics. Bonnie and Tyler and Kimball were all wear-ing graduation robes. They now live in Davis, Califor-nia where Tyler is attending UC Davis to get a PhD. Son Isaac graduated from Helena High School in June and now attending BYU with his brother Nathan. Hus-band, Steve retired from Delta Airlines after 25 years and now works for Helena Motors (Ford) as a service writer. They’ve recently moved to Clancy, Montana in the mountains. Daughter Anna is a junior in high school and Melanie is teaching early morning seminary. Linda’s son Tabish Antar (Michael) and Shrey had a baby boy (Shivom) who was born March 19th in India, where they live. Tabish has lived 20 years outside of the USA and 18 years here. They’re trying to come back to the USA early next year.

Olive Miller’s Family: Olive’s son Ron (& Bernadine or “Bernie”) Bost are planning on visiting Salt Lake yet this year to seek medical care for Ron. They live in the Philippines where healthcare isn’t that good. They will be staying with his daughter Karyn (& Corey) Vincent who live in Magna. They have a son Colby, age 5.


Torleif S. Knaphus Family News large beautiful family (86) including 6 married children, 27 grandchildren (14 married spouses), and 31 great grandchildren. They all cherish the loving memories of Joyce's special love. Joyce touched many lives. She was down-to-earth, outgoing, accepting and genuine. She was a dear companion to her husband Jack, a loving mother to her children, grandchildren, great grand children, special friends; care givers and yes even the flight attendants.

She resided in SLC, where she loved being a full-time, and stay-at-home mom. Her love of family and friends extended into her hobbies; cooking, holidays (especially Christmas), family albums, dinner clubs, swimming par-ties, and sometimes a good water fight. Mother served the Lord by spreading love, while serving in many capacities, from being a den mother to serving a mission. She helped to bond many generations of both hers' and the extended family, even internationally with her legacy of love.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband John H "Jack" Knaphus; her children, son John (Peggy), daughter Carie (Bruce) Reid, son Bruce (Laurie), son Chris (Leslie), son Mark (Julie), daughter Peggy (Kevin) Duke; 27 grand-children; and 29 great grand children. She is also sur-vived by Sister Judy (Judd) Myers, and Brothers Dale and Ralph (Carol) Roberts, as well as numerous in-laws, nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by two great-grandchildren, her parents, brother Everett "Bill" Roberts, Sister Darl Emery, her beloved father-in-law Torlief Knaphus, and numerous in-laws.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and staff who have cared for her in recent months at Highland Care Center, and in her home by Danville Ser-vices. The family offers a special thanks to all the caring family, friends, neighbors, ward members and all the sen-sitive professionals at "The Residence" @ CareSource Hospice for guiding Joyce and her family on her final flight path.

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Grace (& Ernie) Humphrey’s Family:

Karlene (Joel) Bauer retired, then went back part-time - still as an AP Biology teacher at Jordan High School every other day. She is also a docent at the Church’s Art & History Museum. Son Keldon will be coming into SLC to present a paper at a national fi-nance conference. He and his wife Sonia have 3 chil-dren, Ezra, Jonathan, and Misty. They live in Bloom-ington, Illinois.

David (& Maxine) Humphrey’s Family: Son Brett (& Bonnie) Humphrey had John Samuel (Sage) on April 4, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan where they live. He’s a real frequent flier since he’s been back and forth 3 times now. Son Eric had a serious accident recently on an ATV outside of Las Vegas. He crushed two vertebrae but fortunately has been released from the hospital. Right now he does not need surgery. He & Amy and their two boys – Trevor & Rylee live in Las Vegas. Daughter Sara (& Jeff) Nagrant (Kaysville, Utah) had a boy – Davin Gregory - on May 2nd and he weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz. They also have twin 7 year old girls.

Bill (& Sharla) Humphrey have done some 4-wheeling this year and have just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. Bill is the Exec. Sec. in their ward in Las Vegas and Sharla teaches Family History along with being a year-round teacher. Daughter Heather (& David) Camp – in Las Vegas, too - are expecting their 4th child in November. Son Spencer (& Beth) are expecting their first child in April. They live in SLC.

Kimball (Wendy) Humphrey has started selling real estate besides his insurance business. He is also volun-teering as a docent at the National Cowboy and West-ern Heritage Museum that houses western art and sculpture. Kimball and Wendy have been called to the Blanchard Branch to try to ready them to be a ward. Daughter Emily has moved back to Norman, OK into a new home from North Carolina. Youngest son Ben is in his second year of dental school.

Ruth (& Steve) Wilder’s Family: Son John (& Sarah) are having a baby girl later in Oc-tober. This will be their fourth child (they have: Vin-cent, 5; Addison Torleif, 3; and Nicholas, 1) and live in Porterville, California. Son Thomas (Tommy) is get-ting married on October 28 in the St. George Temple.

Tim (& Dar) Knaphus’ Family:

Kraig’s son Kyle (& Rebecca) Knaphus are expecting their third child in December – they are waiting until then to see if it’s a boy or a girl! They live in Poway, California.

Marie James’ Family:

Marie turned 83 this year. Her health is great and she still walks 1-2 miles a day.

John (& Janice) Gerritsen’s daughter Emily married Kamon Walker on August 22 in Salt Lake City. He’s from Henderson, Nevada but both attend BYU.

Bryan (& Becky) Gerritsen’s Family - Becky’s mother, Elisa Rogers Wirthlin, passed away in Au-gust. Becky stays with her father once a week to help him. Daughter Amy graduated with a Master’s from BYU and is now in school counseling and psychology in Ithaca, New York. Her husband Darrell Sonntag is getting his PhD from Cornell University. Son Greg received his commercial pilot’s license and his flight instructor’s license and is now giving flying lessons. He and his wife Kelly live in the Ogden area. Son Paul, is in the Switzerland, Zurich Mission.

Irene Conran’s Family:

Mike Conran is a superintendent for a construction company who do high-end work for some of the richest people in the country.

Steve (& LaraLee) Conran - Steve is still in the Stake Presidency and LaraLee is the Primary Chorister and is still teaching early morning seminary. Son Matt (& Lori) had a baby boy, Taylor Matthew, on August 3 (9 lbs. 10 oz., 20 in.). Matt works at Stock Construc-tion Supply in management training in their Provo store while Lori finishes up her degree. Son Chris is in the Washington Everett Mission. Daughter Cami is a jun-ior in high school.

Nancy (& Bill) Durst - Nancy walks several miles each day to stay in shape and Bill gets his exercise with his painting business. Daughter Megan is a junior at San Francisco State and is going into Physical Therapy. Daughter Shannon started in her first year of college this year. Son Russell is a freshman man in high school and has been bitten by the fishing bug.

Jack (& Joyce) Knaphus’ Family:

Jack is recovering from his foot surgery recently – they’re hoping the infection in his bone goes away. He is at Pioneer Valley Hospital and will be there until No-vember or so. The healing process is slow. He is miss-ing Joyce and would love to have visitors. Jack and the family appreciate all the condolences regarding Joyce’s passing especially the book of memories, which was given to them and the flowers from the KFO.

John (& Peggy) Knaphus have moved to Farmington, Utah and has been quite busy with some of the recent temples in California. Besides John & Peggy moving, most of their children used to live in the mountains and this year the following have moved. Son Jim & Am-mee have moved to Draper; Son Ned & Audry have moved to Lehi; and Daughter Geri & Christopher Bohn have moved to Lehi, too. Daughter Heidi (& Jayson) Glenn are expecting their 5th baby (a boy) in February. They have Kali, age 11; Brooke, age 10;




Returning To Our Roots The Knaphus Farm Site in Øvre (upper) Vats, Norway This summer, in two separate trips, Kathie (& Kerry) Christensen (Dick Knaphus’ daughter and son-in-law), and Chris (& Leslie) Knaphus (Jack & Joyce’s son and daughter-in-law) visited the old Knaphus farm area (now called Knapphus) in Vats, Norway. Thanks for sharing some of your photos with us. . .

Hallie, age 6; and Jayson, age 3. Bruce (& Laurie)’s son Kanon Knaphus had a seri-ous accident earlier this year while wrestling. He had brain surgery and is doing remarkably well.

Mark (& Julie)’s son Alex married Brittany Wilhelm on September 5th.

Peggy (& Kevin) Duke’ son Parker (& Melanie) Hodson had a baby boy, Nathan, on Sept. 2nd.

Becky Beddoes’ Family:

Daughter Martha (& Joseph) Baumgarten and Maggie (age 1) recently moved from Berkeley, Califor-nia to Sandy, Utah this year. They enjoy being “home”. Daughter Annie (& Ken) Sorenson have recently moved to the Washington D.C. area with Ken's job change - he left the German Stock Exchange and now works for Hovde Capitol Advisors (a hedge fund). They have three boys: Joshua, age 6; Caleb, age 4; and Lucas, age 1.

Martin (& Jan) Knaphus’ Family:

Daughter Simon (& Tucker Davis) had a son – Oliver Roscoe Davis on January 13, 2006 in San Francisco where they live. He’s a darling, happy, easy-going “little person”.

Rowena (& Don) Aina’s Family:

Son Nathan & Tricia (and Joshua, Jacob & Sara) moved into a new home in Valencia, California. Eve-ryone is enjoying more space and a yard with palms and room to play. Nathan transferred from LA to a de-tained facility in Lancaster (about 35 miles northwest of Valencia). He is a trial attorney for the US Dept. of Homeland Security and deals with criminal immigra-tion issues. Nathan is on the Stake High Council and Trisha is in the ward primary presidency.

Son Samuel (& Melissa) are expecting their third baby in late April 2007.

Daughter Rachel received a full scholarship to play on BYU’s women’s basket ball team (which went to tour-nament last year).

2006 Trip to Norway By Kathie Knaphus I had the great fortune to be able to visit Norway again this year with my husband Kerry. He was invited there last year to perform his yodeling and folk music for some emigration festivals and decided to take me along. While we were in Bergen on our last stop, we hoped to be able to get over to Knapphus and see the monument but just couldn't manage it on that trip, due to time constraints. If you've ever been to the west coast of Norway, you'll know that something that may look like a very short distance on a map can actually be many hours or even days travel time away because of the fjords, mountains, and lakes everywhere.

Very interestingly, the director of the festival we did in Bergen last year was a college professor who knew all about Torleif and was so sorry that he couldn't take me to see Knapphus that he promised to have us back this year and make sure we got to see it. Asbjørn is a very generous and kind man and very interested in the Nor-wegians that emigrated to America. He brings a group of students over to America every year on tour and has been to Temple Square many times to show his stu-dents the Handcart Monument and tell them about Tor-leif.

So this year, we went over again and stayed in Asbjørn's apartment in Bergen for 10 days and we really saw Bergen. Because he was so busy with the festival at the time, our host asked a friend to drive across from Oslo (a nine-hour drive) and take us on a day trip to Knapphus. It was an amazing experience. The country there is so incredibly beautiful it makes you cry. In fact, just sitting here remembering it makes me cry. I have seen much of the world but to me this is the most beautiful place on earth. It is almost magical. One expects a troll or a dragon to come strolling out of the ferns and trees at any moment. It is the setting for fairy tales. And sadly, there is not one Knaphus left there.

This is an excerpt from my journal entry that day:

"June 27th. Today I had the amazing blessing of visiting the place where my great-grandfather Torleif, grew up in Vats, Norway. The farm has become a huge gas/service sta-tion but the surrounding countryside is breath-takingly beautiful. I am amazed at how many people have willingly helped to bring me to this place...

Asbjørn phoned the home of one of my only two? relatives left here in Norway to arrange for us to meet and visit. Bjarne is the grandson of Jorgina, Torleif's sister. He is a ship's engi-neer and is currently sailing in the North Sea, but his wife, Anne Merrit, was happy to meet us and show us the family sites. She was so


By David Humphrey, grandson Jeg har blit spurt til a snakke litte gran om min mor-far, Torlief Severine Knaphus. Det er med gledelighet og taknemlighet at jeg gjore det

I have been asked to speak some about my mother’s fa-ther, Torlief Severine Knaphus. It is with pleasure and thankfulness that I do this. To begin with let us talk about the spelling of his name. Thorlief or Torleif? Knaphus or Knapphus. When asked about it he said his name is Torleif and it didn’t matter how it was spelled. The correct way to spell it in Norway is T-o-r-l-e-i-f. Today if you go to Øvre Vats in Ro-galand you will find the name on the filling station and convenience store that sits on the property where he was born with the name spelled K-n-a-p-p-h-u-s. But if you look on the original church records for his christening it is spelled K-n-a-p-h-u-s. That is how he always spelled his last name, and the same way that his two brothers who immigrated to the USA also spelled it. But as he said, “It doesn’t matter how it is spelled, as long as you say it right.” Much of what I relate to you about Torleif’s early life comes from the “Personal Journal of Torleif S. Knaphus up to 1908" which has been skillfully and beautifully translated from Norwegian by Brit Woodbury. I am in-debted to her for this translation. I have read some of the original manuscript by Torleif and I am amazed at the clarity and conciseness of the translation.

From this journal I have learned that he had not only a way of showing beauty through his art work, but that he had a gift of expressing his feelings and showing deep insight into the beauty of nature through the written word. Listen to his telling of his birth:

“I, Torleif Knaphus, was born in the month of De-cember 1881 at the place Knaphus, found in Øvre Voss in the interior of Ryfylke. As usual for that area a cold snowstorm probably swept down be-tween those majestic mountains making mournful sounds while it unmercifully shook the tiny homes.


very gracious. With only one day's notice of our arrival she spent a few hours of her time and took us to the cemeteries where Lars and Liva, Torleif's parents, are buried and to the old white church the family attended in Torleif's youth. She then invited us to her home for re-freshments and a visit and said she was so sur-prised at how she felt almost as if she had al-ways known me. We parted with an embrace and our little traveling party drove back to Ber-gen."

I once sat in a class taught by Bruce McConkie's son, Joseph where he said, "Go where your ancestors were and they will be there to meet you." Strangely, Kerry's the one that sensed the presence of Torleif as we stood at the monument that day, but didn't mention it to me until we where back in Bergen that evening. Perhaps it was to thank him for being willing to bring me there at some sacrifice to himself. Me, I think I had the experience of feeling the spirit of all our family, back through the ages. How could they ever have borne leaving this place for-ever? Now maybe I understand a little why Torleif and his son, my grandfather, Kim, loved nature so much. And maybe why my brother, Brad, has very often disap-peared on various hikes and camping trips for days at a time. I think some part of Norway came to America in the Knaphus blood.

Click here to see Chris & Leslie Knaphus’ Photo Album

Click here to see Kathie & Kerry Christensen’s Photo Album

Torleif Severin Knaphus

Torleif S. Knaphus: left: about age 20; right: about age 67


The frosty breath of the cold probably decorated the small windowpanes with beautiful flowers [etched in ice] for my arrival.”(Personal Journal of T.S. Knaphus with entries up to 1908, trans-lated by Brit Woodbury, p. 1)

“My mother had been in labor for over 48 hours and when I finally arrived I was black and blue and laid aside as the mid-wife thought I was dead. She helped my mother and then she turned to me. She filled a tub with ice water and put me into it, then picked me up and spanked me hard, but I did not respond. The mid-wife got mad and threw me into the tub of ice water, then picked me up again and spanked me harder. Then my fight in life began.”

Torleif was born to Lars Larsen Knaphus and Liva Sa-kariason Alfseiki. They were married in 1874, when Lars was 28 years old and she was 25. He had worked as a painter, farmer and a substitute teacher. In his jour-neys he had noticed a piece of ground with rich soil and a beautiful view. He took a life lease on this land and named it Knaphus, after the name of a nearby hill. He built a low rock fence around the property, drained and cultivated it in such a manner that it became widely known as an example to be followed. Later, he won an award as the best farmer in the Haugesund district. He built a small house on the farm. He also made all of the furniture for the house, cabinets, bed, table and chairs. Liva had returned from working as an indentured ser-vant for 12 years and he remembered her as one of his students. After marriage, their combined earnings al-lowed them to build an addition to the house. It was here that they raised seven children, six to maturity, Torleif being the fourth. Listen to his description of his home:

“I remember well our home in western Norway, by the highway leading from Haugesund to points of interest in the Hardangerfjords. Our house was red, trimmed in white with heavy grass on the mud roof. There were beautiful mountains and many lakes around our place where we fished and swam in the summer. And when we talked or laughed the sound would echo back to us from the rugged hills, across the lakes and back to us from the hills on the other side of the lakes. In the still atmosphere we clearly heard the chatting and quarreling of the people who lived on the other side of the lakes.”

When Torleif was around six he heard the grown men talking about a bear in the near by mountains. He talked a younger brother into going into the mountains to search for the bear. He does not say what happened to them on this excursion, only that they almost lost their lives. But this shows his adventuress nature. He also liked to wrestle and play rough with his brothers and the neighbor boys. He was very athletic and usually wound

up on top of the heap or the fastest in a race. Later in his life he won many contests in racing and javelin throwing, discus throwing, hammer shot, and high jump, not just in his neighborhood, but in all of Rogaland County. He also had a keen eye and ear for the beauties of nature:

“As I grew, I was somewhat different than my brothers. At times I could be sitting by myself in a lonely place gazing admiringly at all the beauty spread out before my eyes. Likewise my ears and heart were turned to the song of the small birds hid-den in the beautiful mantle of the leafy forest. And on cold winter evenings—when everything was hid-den under a mantle of snow, my eyes were turned to the deep blue sky and my heart was held captive.”

This inner vision of nature was not lost on his mother and she provided him with a sketch book that he took with him while he herded sheep on the mountain side. He made sketches of his surroundings and of those he knew. At the age of 15 he was sent to be a painter’s apprentice in Haugesund. He was later a journeyman painter in Ølen in Sor Hordaland. But his adventurous nature got the bet- ter of him and so when he was 17, much against the plead-ing of his mother, he went to sea.

He sailed the northern seas between Norway and Iceland on Norwegian fishing boats. Seafaring, strangely enough, convinced him to become an artist. The reds and golds of ocean sunrises and sunsets, the magnificent midnight sun, the shimmering pastels of the northern lights, the stark white arctic ice, and other beauties awed him:

“Art was driven into my soul by the beautiful sum-mer nights I spent as a sailor on the Arctic Ocean. When our little vessel was tossed around by giant blue-green waves under the most dramatic sky in the great Atlantic zone, I decided firmly to be an artist.

After two years at sea he returned to his home, probably because of the pleadings of his mother.

Back home he completed his apprenticeship in decoration painting, earning his master's slip which entitled him to be bonded and open his own shop. But Torleif the artist, like Torleif the athlete, sought to excel. Finding he needed ad-vanced training, the day after a sports awards banquet he boarded a ship for Oslo (then called Christiana), Norway's capital.

He was accepted for study under Harriet Backer at her famous art school. He also attended the Royal Art School where he learned sculpturing from Lars Utne and decided to make it his life's work. Torleif roomed with two other young men in a home of a family. One evening one of his room-mates challenged the two to a wrestling match in their room. After besting both Torleif and the other room mate he said that as his prize they had to attend a concert at his church. They went to Jesu Kristi Kirke av Siste




proving. However, several severe setbacks oc-curred, and one time things looked extremely seri-ous. My life was also in great danger. If the Lord’s protection had not been allotted me in such perfect measure, my time here would also have been over, or my body deprived of a future.”

Part of the conversion of Torleif to Mormonism was the conviction that families are eternal in nature. He gained a strong desire to learn of his ancestors, who they were and their history. Before he left Norway he spent considerable time in speaking to known family to gather whatever fam-ily history they may have. He also went to the local churches and was able to view the church records. In this manner he was able to go back eight or nine generations. When he was 37 years old, he wrote an article entitled “Genealogical Research, My Life’s Hobby.” In it he said:

“When I came here to Utah, I decided after I had paid my tithing, to lay aside an additional 5% of my earnings for genealogy work. Soon after I made this decision I sent to Norway $36.00 to Jens Jensen, a Danish genealogist. He took great inter-est in my work, made a special trip to Norway, and found about 900 additional names of my fam-ily.” [The $36.00 he sent to Norway would be worth well over $2,000 dollars today.]

Of this genealogy work he also wrote:

“The first and most important thing in this work is that we get a desire [to learn of our forefathers] and then have sufficient love to go ahead and do something about it. As we carry on, things unfold themselves before us; and we find more and accom-plish more that we ever dreamed to accomplish.” “As we precede four and five hundred years back, it becomes extremely interesting. The dark clouds which have rested over our ancestors’ lives and ex-istence have nearly altogether disappeared; and the Middle Ages seemingly become so near to us.” “As we find our forefathers who lived that long ago, and read about their good work, it gives us a feeling of joy similar to that of having a child or a grandchild born to us; and we love them as our own family. As we find our ancestors, we also find their history, what offices they held in the church and state, and the services they rendered. This gives us joy. As time goes on we love them more and more. And as we make some preparation to-ward raising a family, so likewise, we should be willing to give [financially] toward this research work.”

In early 1909 Torleif was painting a picture of the Salt Lake Temple. He had his easel set up and was painting when a friend from northern Norway, Conrad Hansen, brought his girlfriend, Rose Christensen, and her sister, two young girls from central Utah who were working in

Dagers Helige, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed a concert put on by them. He went back to their Sunday meetings often and felt com-fortable there. He felt they had answers for many reli-gious questions that he had been thinking about for a long time. He studied and prayed about their teaching until he became convinced that their teachings were what he wanted. So in February 1903 he walked across the ice to an island in the Oslo fjord, and on the far side of the island a hole was chopped in the ice, he changed his clothes, was baptized by emersion, in the cold fjord water, changed back to his dry clothes (in the cold out-doors) and then walked back to Oslo. His studies in art continued for the next two years. He did so well that he was awarded a scholarship to study in Rome. But it was learned that he had joined the “Mormon” church and it was rescinded. So he returned to his home in Vats, Rogaland. There he preached his newfound religion to his family and friends and tried to learn as much as possible about his ancestors. He re-mained in Vats until the later part of 1905. He had worked as a painter and earned enough money to buy passage to Utah. So in December he left his parents home for a new life in the United States. He went to Stavanger, then England. In January 1906 he sailed for the United States, arriv-ing in Boston in February. He went by rail to Utah, through Chicago, arriving with just two Norwegian øre in his pocket. This would not even be enough money to exchange into one penny. He was met by fellow Nor-wegians and stayed with them for a few days. He soon found work in Murray in the Utah Steel Mill. Because of his physical strength and athleticism he was able to often find work in construction and metal mills. Soon he heard of a master house painter who needed a helper. He quit the steel mill and went to work as a house painter. However, he did art work in the evenings and when ever he was not working. His greatest desire for his art work was to be able to be commissioned for some projects for the LDS Church. In the summer of 1906, while working either as a house painter or on a construction site, he got his leg caught on a nail. The following morning he woke up with a high fever and did not have the strength to stand. He laid in bed for a week, too weak to work. After sev-eral restless, sleepless nights, he visited a doctor who informed him that he had typhoid fever. He was imme-diately admitted into the old St. Mark’s Hospital on Beck Street, where he stayed for almost five weeks. In about his third week of hospitalization two of his good friends, Alf Kalstad and Karl Hansen were admitted to the hospital with typhoid fever. Just two days before Torleif was released Alf Kalstad died. About a week later, Karl Hansen passed away. After reflecting on the life of his friends, Torleif said:

“After my third week in the hospital I began im-



Salt Lake, to talk to Torleif. The sisters were also of Scandinavian background, both their mother and father having come from Denmark. Thus began the courtship of Torleif and Emilia Helena Christensen (most often called Millie or Emily). They were married on Novem-ber 23, 1909. Their first residence was a little duplex on Linden Street. Rose and Conrad Hansen, who had mar-ried shortly before, lived in the other side of the duplex. Shortly after the marriage Torleif introduced his young-est brother, Andreas (Americanized to Andrew), to Mil-lie’s sister, Myrtle. They were soon married and the two brothers and their wife’s decided to move to the town of Central, Utah where they could live in the sis-ter’s parents’ old house rent free. There the brothers would become partners in a painting business.

This business venture was cut short in 1913 when An-drew received a call to become a missionary to his na-tive Norway to preach “Mormonism.” Torleif was to go to Paris for the Church to further study art. So the sis-ters, with their small children, shared the house while their husbands, brothers, went off to Europe. At the conclusion of his studies in Paris, Torleif traveled to Norway to visit his family and to gather more names for his genealogy. He was able to gather close to 2,500 ad-ditional names. When he sailed back to the United States he feared greatly for the safety of the records he had of his family due to the beginning of hostilities that led to World War I. He spent another four months studying art in New York. He was only home a few months when he was given the opportunity to study sculpting in Chicago for six months. He felt like he should stay home and support his family. But at the insistence of his wife he went and studied under the fa-mous sculptor Robert Eiken and Czechoslovakian Albin Palaskey).

During his first year back home he was hired by the Church to work on the Hawaiian Temple, again having to leave home and his growing family. For half a year he did interior work and helped Avard Fairbanks sculp-tor the twelve oxen supporting the basement baptismal font. His children vividly remember him bringing home his pay: a sack of twenty-dollar gold pieces. These and other earnings enabled the family to purchase a home located in the Sugar House area in 1920. It’s address was 1446 East Redondo Ave. Here the family remained until after the death of Torleif.

Soon another new temple required his skills. This temple was to be built between 1913 and 1923 in Card-ston, Alberta, Canada. For this temple he carefully built the oxen for the baptismal font, which he later judged to be his all-time favorite font creation. When the temple exterior work was to be done, he returned to Cardston to sculpt a large bas relief entitled “Christ the Fountain-head.” This depicts the Savior and the Samaritan woman at the well, where he proclaims that he is the living Christ. This bas relief was later reproduced and placed on the exterior of the Edgehill Ward meeting

house, located at 1750 South 1500 East in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was later painted and his been repainted a time or two. For the Arizona Temple, located in Mesa, Arizona and dedicated in 1927, Torleif produced the twelve terra cotta oxen beneath the baptismal font. He also created the eight detailed friezes forming and ornamental band around the tops of the north and south outside walls of the temple. His skillful hand also helped in the creation of many other temples. He produced the oxen and font for the Idaho Falls Temple, crafted busts of Church presidents that were located in the Salt Lake Temple, some of which are now located in the Conference Center and in the Church Mu-seum, other interior decorations for the Salt Lake Temple, did touch-up painting inside the Hawaii Temple, helped M.F. Malin do sculpture work for the Los Angeles Temple and grounds, and helped with the Oakland Temple baptis-mal font. Torleif’s best known statue is the Handcart Monument located on Temple Square. When the Daughters of the Handcart Pioneers commissioned him to memorialize the heroic handcart trek, Torleif intricately detailed a five-inch high scale model our of clay. From this he copied the three foot high bronze monument. It features a rickety cart with much worn wheels. From one side sags a ragged quilt, and underneath hangs a kettle. On a seat sits a small girl, pulling the cart is a man, bearded and inured to hard-ship. Beside him, helping with the cart and concerned about her small daughter, walks a pioneer mother. Behind is a son. This small Handcart Monument was unveiled 25 September 1926 by President Heber J. Grant. For years the statue was displayed on a table in the Temple Square Bureau of Information. Then in 1938 Church leaders commissioned Torleif to make a larger than life copy for the pioneer centennial of 1947. By 1942 he finished the huge clay model and had the monument cast in bronze in New York. In 1947 this statue was unveiled on Temple Square, where it still im-presses thousands of visitors each year. The LDS Church purchased the property of the Hill Cu-morah in New York, site of many historical events, in par-cels. They obtained full ownership of the hill in 1928. When Torleif became aware that the Church owned the hill, he felt a statue should be erected on the top of the hill. He knew several of the Church leaders personally, and he occasionally spoke to them of creating such a statue. He had a firm conviction that through Joseph Smith the an-cient Church of Jesus Christ had been restored in these latter days. Therefore he wanted to honor, in a tangible way, the sacred events of the Angel Moroni visiting Jo-seph Smith at this hill where he eventually gave Joseph the gold plates to translate. This translation became what is known today as “The Book of Mormon, Another Testa-ment of Christ.” Around 1929 Torleif made several sketches of what he felt this statue should look like. He decided to take these



Torleif said of the Hill Cumorah monument, “It is de-signed to appear like a symbolic pillar of light, the granite shaft’s upward leading lines so placed as to draw the thoughts of man toward heaven and God. It is my desire that whoever sees this monument will investigate and ac-cept the Gospel message as I have done..” During the creation of this statue, tragedy struck in the life of Torleif. In December of 1931, his wife Millie was killed in a tragic home accident. While stepping out of the bath tub a towel she was holding touched an electric space heater. She died instantly. She and Torleif had given birth to seven children, one who had died at age five of diphthe-ria. The remaining six were still at home, the youngest just fifteen months old. Several people offered to adopt the youngest three children, but Torleif refused to allow his family to be divided. To take care of the children, Kim the oldest, who married just before the death of his mother, moved his bride into the family home. This lasted a little over a year. Torleif often took a child to work with him, trying his best to be both a father and mother to his chil-dren. He remained single for eight years.

Then in 1940, when he was fifty-eight, he married twenty-four year old Rebecca Marie Jacobson. She was an outstanding woman. She helped raise his children and in time bore him six more children. Having a first and sec-ond family meant that for fifty years Torleif sat around a dinner table at home with his own young children. In fact when he died at the age of 83, he had three teenage chil-dren. He was the father of eight sons and six daughters. Other work was done by Torleif for the Church. His eleven and a half foot gilded aluminum Moroni graced the top of the old Washington D. C. chapel, perhaps the only chapel to ever have a statue on top. This building has since been sold and this Angel Moroni now is on display at the Church History museum in Salt Lake City, on the sec-ond floor in front of a large window overlooking Temple Square and West Temple Street. He also made a heroic size statue showing the Angel Moroni delivering the golden plates to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was planned that this statue would be displayed on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, but for some reason it was never placed there. It is now on display at the Wilford C. Wood mu-seum in Bountiful, Utah. Throughout Salt Lake valley his works brought beauty to the community: busts of famous Utahans, decorations for office buildings, mortuary and chapel friezes. There is also a plaque in the Bingham High School foyer by Tor-leif. By far his best loved secular monument is the 1937 School Children’s Monument near State Street in front of the City and County Building. It features a granite base holding a scroll depicting the United States Constitution. On either side or the base, facing each other, are life size statues of a boy and girl looking up at the United States flag atop the seventy foot flag pole set in the base. The statue honors school children, whose nickels and dimes paid for it.

sketches, unannounced, to Church headquarters to show them to the Brethren. When he asked if he could visit with the Quorum of The Twelve, he was invited into their meeting. He was informed that they had been dis-cussing the possibility of putting a monument on the Hill Cumorah and were considering calling him to pre-sent to them plans and ideas for such a project. He showed the Brethren his sketches. He had determined which sketch he thought was best, but made no mention of it to them. They unanimously chose the sketch that he considered the best. The Church commissioned Torleif to sculpt the 10-foot, gold plated statue of the angel Moroni and to de-sign and create the granite pillar and base of the monu-ment, altogether totaling forty feet in height. He spent five years on the design and creation of this monu-ment – more than twice the time spent on any other sin-gle art project he undertook in his life. Torleif envisioned the angel Moroni not as the world sees a typical angel, but as a strong warrior and also as a prophet and respected leader among his people. He searched for the ideal candidate to pose for the image that he sought to portray. He found what he wanted for the body of the angel in Elwin Clark, a bricklayer who had recently constructed a fireplace for the artist at his home. Clark had the muscular body Torleif sought to depict, and he agreed to pose for this project. However, Torleif felt that Elwin’s face was too young to represent the mature and stately appearance of the angel Moroni. Torleif sought long and hard to find a suitable model for the face of the angel. Because he never drove a car, he traveled by bus from his home in the Sugarhouse area to downtown Salt Lake City, where his studio was located. He walked around downtown wherever he needed to go. This was before malls and shopping centers, so downtown Salt Lake was the gath-ering place for most shopping and business in the val-ley. As he walked about, he would search for appropri-ate models for whatever project he may be working on at the time. One day an older, bearded gentleman caught his attention. After following him for quite some time, Torleif explained in his thick Norwegian accent that he would like to use the gentleman’s face to depict Moroni of old. The man was a sheep rancher who had just moved back to his home town of Farming-ton, Utah from Wyoming. After much discussion, Tor-leif persuaded him to follow him to his studio. Young Elwin was already in the studio when Torleif brought the older gentleman into the studio. To Tor-leif’s surprise, the two men knew each other. The older gentleman was Don Carlos Clark, Elwin’s father. To all three there came a realization that the two Clarks had been chosen as an answer to Torleif’s prayers to find suitable models for the image of the angel.


Knaphus Family History (Geneological) Efforts

Torleif often worked harder than his pay merited. He believed in the law of consecration and willingly gave of his talents to the Church. If his work did not satisfy him he would say, “I won’t do this work for the Lord if it is not the best I can do.” During the Depression years he was often out of work. When a chapel was being built in his area and donations for the building fund of this chapel were requested, he had no money. So for his families’ contribution, he donated his talent, spending several months sculpturing a large frieze for the front of the chapel. He gave freely to those who he felt were in worse condition than he. Often he had just enough money to pay forthe bus to and from work. When a panhandler would ask him for some change he would give his bus money to them and walk all the way from downtown Salt Lake City to his home in Sugarhouse, a distance of six to eight miles or more. He often told his children to eat only half of their food so they could take the left-overs to a widow who lived nearby. To the end he was never boastful of his accomplish-ments, but remained very modest about publicity given his efforts. His life and his monuments bear strong and impressive testimony that Torleif Knaphus loved not only art and beauty, but also religion and family. Near the close of his earthly life, in failing health, he ex-pressed a humble assessment of his life’s labors:

“As in misery I recall the days of faith that on-ward I strived to do right and provide the daily needs of my family, then in gratitude I recognize that there has been a light greater than mine to guide me, and a hand stronger and richer than mine to provide and protect me. A mind richer and greater than mine to plan this, my life, to see through these many years.”

Dated Wednesday, June 17, 1965 the Deseret News newspaper had the following on their editorial page, A-20:

“TORLEIF KNAPHUS”

“If he had done nothing else in life but create the delicate and moving Handcart Monument, Torleif Severin Knaphus would have made his contribution to the world. For in this flowing and realistic sculp-ture is caught the fierce determination, the tender-ness, the hard reality and the inspiring strength of the Mormon Pioneers.

“Yet, Mr. Knaphus, who died Monday at 83, cre-ated many additional works of beauty – and all re-flect an inner conviction that life is real, yet that it has a gracious, embracing beauty, if one is willing to search for it. His other important works include the Hill Cumorah Monument, the figure of the Angel Moroni on the Washington Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the warm

Bumper Sticker of the Day:

You can always tell a Norwegian . . . but you can’t tell them much!

and touching figures of children looking at the flag on the grounds of the City and County Building. “Mr. Knaphus, an immigrant to Utah at the turn of the century, was a kind and gentle father and will be remembered by his many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for his humility, his thought-fulness, and for his unselfishness. This last virtue was practiced in great measure, for he gave of himself and his talents and time not only to his family, but to his community and Church also.” “Our world of beauty is richer for his having lived


A Message and Update from Allen Gerritsen, KFO Family History Specialist I continually marvel at the legacy that Torleif S. Knaphus left us. Not only do we have the tangible and legendary sculptures, monuments and paintings he cre-ated throughout his life, we also have his journals and other writings, which give us a glimpse into his activi-ties, interests, personality and feelings.

These tangible items distinguish him as a great ancestor for us. There is a GGOLDENOLDEN RRULEULE OFOF GGENEAENEAL-L-OGYOGY that states: “Leave for your posterity what you wish your ancestors had left for you.” Without Tor-leif’s writings, we would not have that glimpse into his life. It is common that most of our ancestors pass on with many of their notable deeds unrecognized or noted.

Wilford Woodruff admonished, “Write your history and the dealings of God with you in all the world for your own benefit and that of your posterity...” (Wilford Wood-ruff journal, 15 February 1853). Spencer W. Kimball also offered encouragement to potential record keepers:

“People often use the excuse that their lives are un-eventful and nobody would be interested in what they have done. But I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on throughout the generations”. (in Conference Report, Oct. 1978, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1978, 4).

During our lives, we may want to consider doing a few of the following things so we too can leave a legacy and



be a great ancestor for our posterity. These actions may include:

· Start a family history · Mark and organize photographs; do scrap-booking · Write your life story in a journal or autobiography · Do audio and/or video recordings of family members (and of yourself) · Inventory ancestral heirlooms you have to pass on to your family

These note-worthy actions seem to always be put off, but they prompt a question I often ask myself:

“What am I doing to ensure “What am I doing to ensure MYMY legacy legacy after I’m gone?”after I’m gone?”

Torleif also left a heritage with the volume of family research and temple work he completed throughout his life. At one time he stated that his family history work was the greatest work in his life. If you are interested in helping with the continuation of his work with the Knaphus Family History efforts, I’ve identified 5 ways you can assist:

1. Family group sheet data entry on indirect lines

2. Research opportunities 3. Help enter (digitize) Torleif’s life histories 4. Assist with Temple work 5. Financial contributions *See NOTE below

If you’d like to help with the family history or genea-logical efforts (items 1 through 4), let me know.

*See #5 ABOVE - Financial contributions are always welcome and should be sent to: Knaphus Family Organization; c/o Becky Bed-does, KFO Treasurer; 577 E. Briarsprings Circle; Midvale, UT 84047

~ OR ~

Instead of mailing checks, you can make monthly, periodic or one-time deposits from your bank to the KFO. Simply stop by a Zion’s Bank and sign up to have deposits made electronically from your account/bank to the KFO Zion’s Bank account # 93 31409 4. They will need a cancelled check or a deposit slip from your account.

Many of you have given generously to the KFO – to this we are thankful. Furthermore, several of you have volunteered in helping with the genealogical efforts. It’s due to your enthusiasm that great strides will be made in this work. Thank you.

The direct line (Torleif’s large pedigree chart) is in the Personal Ancestral File (PAF) and available as a GED-COM file. The family group sheets associated with the direct line ancestors are being double-checked for accu-racy and completeness. We’re assuring that all the

children and siblings of the direct line ancestors are being entered completely and correctly so we can merge the indirect lines (or collateral lines), as those family group sheets are entered.

Excuse the well-used metaphor but, our family tree is fill-ing in with branches as we link the indirect line ancestors to our direct line. Those who are helping enter the family group sheets into the file know of the detailed efforts this process takes. Again, thank you for your support.

A Fun “Timeline” Website to Explore: This free website lets you see what major events

occurred during a specified period of time. For instance, you can tailor-make a time line of your life or one of your ancestors’ and it lists historical events in different categories. It also lists famous people born in a particu-lar birth year or who-else in history was born on a par-ticular date (like your own birth date). Check it out at www.ourtimelines.com.

Newly-Acquired Painting

Just this year, Marie James found out that her father had painted “Christ in the Temple” on a 42” x 58” canvas in about 1913 while attending school in Paris, France. He was allowed to copy the painting, as an assignment. The original is by German artist Heinrick Hoffman. It is said to have been painted in the “students’ gallery” in the Louvre Museum and hung there for awhile. When the family lived in Monroe, Utah, he brought the painting home and donated it to the Richfield Tabernacle where it hung for several decades. When the building was no longer used by the Church, it was moved to the old Rich-field 1st Ward house until that building was demolished. Marie’s cousin, Loyd Knaphus (Andrew L. Knaphus’ son – Torleif’s nephew) “rescued” the painting, which sat outside for several days in the elements. He in turn had it in his basement for a few years. Marie acquired it and had it professionally cleaned, resorted and hung. She wel-comes visitors to stop by to see it (and her).


Have They Lost Their “Census”? FYI – Tidbits of Information Due to the current privacy laws, the census surveys taken at the beginning of each decade are only available to the public through 1930. Torleif arrived in the USA in 1906. Therefore, there are 3 US Censuses on which he is counted. The census records provide interesting tidbits of infor-mation. For instance, they demonstrate his career change over those 3 decades. They also show how the census records have their limits regarding using them as accurate sources. We’ve shown this by listing how the surveyor misspelled Torleif’s and Millie’s names on the records. If you’re interested, click on the respective census date above to see the actual page where Torleif and Millie’s names are written. When the 1940 census records are released to the public, we’ll see what was put down by the census surveyor! It will be interesting. . .

Date Name Occupation Our Comments

1910 Tarley Knaphris Spouse: Ennie

Painter-House This was right af-ter he married and hadn’t been to art school in Paris yet

1920 Torleis Knaphus Spouse: Mellie

Sculptor-own shop

This is when he was working on some of the tem-ples’ baptismal fonts and the “Woman at the Well”

1930 Julius T. Knaphus Spouse: Amelia

Sculptor-Granite

This was when he was working on the Hill Cu-morah Monu-ment and the granite base on which Moroni Stands.


Setting Direction for the KFO

OBJECTIVE = a GENERAL activity that leads to the achievement of the respective KFO Purpose (see Objectives below);

GOAL = a SPECIFIC activity that achieves an out-come of the respective Objective; each Goal should be assigned an accountable individual and completed by a certain time.

A randomly selected, statistically significant group of the KFO membership was surveyed in July 2006 (n =21). They were asked to prioritize the OBJECTIVES of the KFO from 1 (high) to 10 (low). Points were assigned to the priority num-ber in reverse order, e.g., 1 = 10 points, 2 = 9 pts., 3 = 8 pts., etc. Points for each Objective were then added with the highest percentage of total votes receiving the highest priority. The top 7 objectives are listed below in order of importance. The top three are statistically significant and efforts will be made to focus on the goals associated with those objectives first.

Most of the survey participants suggested goals for their top priority Objectives. The Board of Directors are using those and drafting Goals associated with each Objective. To see the list of Objectives and to review the DRAFT Goals, click here and give us your opinion of them by emailing [email protected]. Priority and emphasis to the Goals will be given based upon the above-mentioned membership survey. Thanks for your input, ideas, and sup-port of the direction the KFO is taking.

The KFO Board of Directors are developing Goals based upon a sampling of the membership feedback. For the KFO use, the following definitions pertain:

PURPOSE = a main reason of existence or major areas of focus for our organization; they are:

1. Family History 2. Art and Legacy 3. Family Unity

News Flash: Scientists in Jerusalem have recently confirmed that dur-ing Biblical times, the type of fish that was given to the multitudes was actually Norwegian Lutefisk…for after feeding the people a small amount of fish, they suddenly became full… and had plenty left-over!

PriorityPriorityPriority PurposePurposePurpose Brief Description of Brief Description of Brief Description of ObjectiveObjectiveObjective

1 Family History Enter Family Group Sheets into PAF

2 Art & Legacy Catalogue & put the histo-ries, photos, etc. on CD

3 Family History Assure accurate and com-plete documentation

4 Art & Legacy Create opportunities to pro-mote artwork & legacy

5 All 3 Purposes Use family Newsletter & Web Page

6 Family History Maintain family history in-formation of living

7 Art & Legacy Make reproductions of art pieces and sell them


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KFO Leadership We appreciate the enthusiasm for an organized family organization and for your financial help. We thank the following individuals and others who are donating their time to the organization.

Board of Directors Chair - John Gerritsen Vice Chair – David Humphrey Secretary – Heidi Johnson Treasurer – Becky Beddoes Board Member – Carie Reid Board Member – Stephen Aina Board Member – Sherri Goaslind Reunion Coordinators (2008)– Rowena (& Don) Aina

Specialists Brooke Bowen – KFO Newsletter Editor Tyler Gerritsen – KFO Webmaster Allen Gerritsen - Family History Coordinator Spencer & Beth Humphrey – Family Historians

Here are some pictures of Marie (Knaphus) James and her sons in Norway during the dedication of the memo-rial:

Allen, Marie, John and Bryan at Lars’ gravesite

Allen & John Gerritsen in Bergen

Marie and Allen in Bergen

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Kathie and our 2nd cousin’s wife Anne

Marit

The Knaphus Monu-ment at Knapphus

The mountain pasture with Krakennuten Mountain in the background. This is

where Torleif watched his mother’s sheep.

Where the Knaphus farm used to be.

The Knapphus Grill with the monument in the foreground. Kerry & Kathie

Christensen in front of the Knaphus Monument

The Knaphus property—where the farm land was located.

Torleif has painted this scene.

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Double Falls

Krakennuten above Knapphus

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This is the Vats Church where Torleif and his family attended. This cemetery around the church is where Torleif’s mother and sister are buried. This is in Nedre (lower) Vats.

The old Knaphus farm is in Øvre (upper) Vats.

Torleif’s Mother’s grave in Vats.

Torleif’s sister, Serini’s grave. She died when she

was 6 yrs old.

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Torleif’s Father’s grave in Skøld – just west of Øvre Vats. After Liva died, he

remarried and his new wife didn’t like life on the Knaphus farm so they moved to Skøld,

where she had lived. However, his heart was broken (literally)

by this move since he was found dead carrying a side of beef along the road by

Skøld – he died of a heart attack. Lars lived only five years after Liva died.

The old church that used to stand by this cemetery was torn down and an-

other church was built further west.

Looking down on Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway Back to Front Page

Chris in Bergen with a fellow troll.

Leslie in Bergen

Chris & Leslie at Lars Knaphus gravestone

Chris at Vats Christian Church

Taking ferry to Stord Island

Chris in Bergen

Chris at Bergen Apartment

Kings Art School—History of Books Kings Art School—Sculpture Room

Near Gudvangan Naeroyfjoden

Chris at Knapphus Sign

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Documents

Knaphus Family Organization · Knaphus Family Organization Knaphus Family Organization Fall 2006 8th Edition Page 1 of 14 Next Page Operational Functions of the KFO Knaphus Family