On March, 18, 2016, God’s angels came to guide Georgette Alice Marie Kniss into eternity. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo at the age of 82. She was born Friday, October 13, 1933 in Ninove, Belgium to Arthur and Alice (Vermulen) Van Den Berghe. The world was suffering under the widespread poverty of the Great Depression and the insanity of war would soon engulf Europe. Before she had reached the age of 7, her country had been invaded and occupied by Germany and would remain so until liberation came in 1944. She spoke of fear and hunger during those years, but she always emphasized the love and unselfishness of her parents and their commitment to provide her and her siblings safety and security as best they could in a world gone mad. In 1948, her family, which had grown to 4 children with one on the way, embarked on a small ship at the Port of Antwerp for the U.S. and a new life. Her family was processed at Ellis Island and from there made their way from New York to Liberty Center, Ohio where they had relatives who had emigrated before the war. She didn’t speak English or know any people in the school she would attend, but she was very bright and was able to pick up her studies right where she’d left off in Belgium, learn the language, and excel scholastically. It was in school she met the man that would complete her, soulmate and husband of 59 years, Bill Kniss. They married in 1952, moved to Toledo and began to build their family of 1 daughter and 5 sons. Georgette worked 15 years at Hunt’s Foods followed by 24 years of service at GM Powertrain before retiring in 1996. In 1985, taking full advantage of the freedom that comes with an empty nest, Bill and Georgette enrolled at Monroe County Community College and in 1987 both received their associates degree in Accounting. Being a faithful, devout, and lifelong Catholic, Georgette’s passion was her faith, which governed every aspect of her character. She and Bill made several pilgrimages to Holy sites around the world and participated in humanitarian missions, which included work in Guatemala and Ukraine. Her view on life can be best described in this way: God first, others next, self last. Georgette is survived by her 5 children William F (Denise) Jr., Paul J., Timothy A. (Donna), Alice M. (Mike) Black, and Benjamin A. (Michele). Also surviving are her brothers Henry, Peter, Lawrence, and George Van Den Berghe and her sister Godelieve Eggers. Also left to cherish her memory are 18 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Arthur and Alice (Vermulen) Van Den Berghe, husband William F., Sr., son Daniel H., great- granddaughter Agnes Maria, brother Albert Van Den Berghe and sister Rita Creps. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Tuesday March 22 from 4 to 8pm, with a Rosary service beginning at 7pm at the Peinert Dunn Funeral Home, 7220 Dutch Rd. Waterville Ohio. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Grand Rapids with Father David Tscherne officiating. Burial will follow at Young Cemetery in Liberty Center, Ohio.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
