Wednesday, October 28, 2020
It was around 1948 when Jean and Ken began building the first phase of their dream home on a half acre of the Lewis place, which abutted my parents property on East 17th St. I was nine years old and my sister and I were always around the construction site. Both Jean and Ken talked to us as though we were adults and we really appreciated that. They had the cutest little blonde toddler I have ever seen and she had an outgoing personality. As a matter of fact, Nikki had a boyfriend by the age of four. Danna came along later and my sister was their baby sitter.
The thing that Jean was well-known for in the neighborhood was her gardening. She loved to to take slips from trees, plants and shrubs and get them up and going. By the itme I moved from my parents home in 1961, there were many homes on 17th St. that the neighborhood had totally changed. I didn't see much of the Kniss family after that but I have always had fond memories of them. I attended Ken's funeral service around 45 years ago.
Best wishes to the family.
Gene Ritter
