Hannah Hope (Breidegam) Kniss

Hannah Hope (Breidegam) Kniss, 99, formerly of Oley, died April 21, 2023, at The Lutheran Home at Topton where she resided for 9 years. 

Born February 21, 1924, in Rockland Township, Hope was a daughter of the late Gideon and Sadie (Haas) Breidegam.  She was the widow of Ernest G. Kniss.  Hope was preceded in death by a daughter, Ernestine G. Kniss.  Surviving is daughter, Karen (Ron) Eddinger of Ruscombmanor Township; and 3 grandsons: Geoffrey A. (Amber), Madison, Wisconsin; Zachary A., San Francisco, California; and Jesse R., Madison, Wisconsin. 

Hope was preceded in death by her nine siblings: brothers – Charles, Elwood, Thomas, Paul, Donald, and Marvin Breidegam; sisters - Sallie A. Sanders, Sadie Mae Schwoyer, and Arlene Sanders.

Hope was employed in the cafeteria of the Oley Valley School District for 17 years,rising to the position of Head Cook before retiring in 1986.  She was a past member of Friedens Lutheran Church, Oley, and most recently, a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Topton.  She was also a member and past officer of Fleetwood Grange.

Hope enjoyed mowing grass on hot summer days, quilting, and driving the 1948 Dodge custom sedan.  She was well known for her potato fastnachts.  Her love of genealogy led her to handwrite the family trees of both the Breidegam and Kniss families.  Being bi-lingual, she also wrote stories from her childhood, both in Pennsylvania Dutch and English.  Even though she only completed the 8th grade, she had more common sense than most college graduates. Hope was known for telling family stories, a quick wit, tenacity, and love of her family, especially her grandsons.  

Hope’s family would like to thank the staff at Topton for the loving care they have provided to her over the past 9 years.

Services will be held Saturday, May 13th at 10 a.m. at Deibert Hall at Lutheran Home at Topton, along Buehrle Drive.  A viewing will be held from 9-10 a.m. As per Lutheran Home at Topton requirements, masks will be mandatory. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Dryville.  

Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Oley, is in charge of arrangements.  For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

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