Elizabeth Kniss

Elizabeth Luther was the first surviving daughter of Robert and Ella Luther’s expanding family. She was to be joined by only one sister, and eventually eight, yes 8 brothers! Elizabeth stayed with the Mennonite tradition by marrying Lloy Kniss. Uncle Lloy and Elizabeth spent many years in India as missionaries and all of their four children spent time there as well. Lloy eventually became a Bishop in the Mennonite Church and they spent their last years together near Baltimore. Lloy and Elizabeth had four children, three boys and one girl. They were Paul, Mark, Esther, and David. All four followed in their parents tradition by becoming ministers, missionaries, or marring a minister!

Elizabeth was one of the seven R.M. Luther children to reach the age of 90! It would be hard for us today to imagine living in a home with 8 brothers, four who were older than her, and four who were younger. Many of the cousins who gathered around Lloy and Elizabeth, were always fascinated by the intriguing stories that they told us when they returned from one of their tours in India.