Born Knud Hans William Christofferson at 2AM, December 2, 1921 on Estate "Betty's Hope", St. Croix Us Virgin Islands to Valborg Agnata Christoffersen and Neils Christoffersen. Knud had a wonderful life growing up in the Virgin Islands.
He joined the army and was sent by B-17 bomber to Puerto Rico for basic training on December 10, 1940. He was there when war was declared on December 7, 1941. He spent the next 2 years in Puerto Rico. Knud was then sent to South Carolina, then Camp Shelby, Mississippi. From there he was sent to New York and put aboard ships bound by convoy to Europe. The convoy landed at La Havre, France. Set up camp at “Camp Lucky Strike” and was so cold he got frost bite on both feet and was hospitalized for 11 days. Knud was a medic with the 65th Division as part of the Patton’s 3rd Army. He stayed with that unit across Europe and ended up in Linz, Austria at the war’s end. Knud went home to Indiana after crossing on another Liberty Ship. He went with his brother-in-law, Cliff, to work in a gold mine in Pikes Peak, Colorado. He decided it wasn’t for him and went back to Indiana. He then went to New York and reenlisted at Mitchell Field.
In 1947 Knud met Edith through the Nielsen family, who were from the Virgin Islands. Edith was a “Rosie the Riveter” building P47 Thunderbolts at Republic Aviation on Long Island. After dating for a while they were married on May 22, 1948 in Freeport, New York. Over the years from Mitchell Field to McGuire AFB to Presque Isle Maine, to Tripoli, Libya to St. Albans Naval Hospital, New York to Wiesbaden, Germany to Spokane, Washington to Big Spring, Texas and finally San Antonio, Texas. He retired from the air Force on May 1st, 1971. He later worked for Tom’s Peanuts for many years after.
Knud and Edith had many wonderful trips visiting with family. Those trips were the best times of their lives. He played the harmonica for friends and family. He loved playing golf with his golfing buddies: Herbie, Les, Tony, Stan, and Ron. He was also an avid card player, so we all grew up loving to play cards.
Knud Chrsitoffersen was a devoted family man and a good friend. Loved to be around people, telling jokes and stories, especially about growing up in the islands.
Knud is survived by his daughter Diane Adamson; his daughter Donna Avant (Wayne Avant); his son Robert Christoffersen (Susan Christoffersen); and his son Ronald Christoffersen (Nancianne Christoffersen); his grandchild Kelly Adamson, his grandchild Sharon Adamson, his grandchild Laura Knapp, his grandchild John Christoffersen, his grandchild Barbara Smeraldo, his grandchild Travis Avant, his grandchild Christine Avant, his great grandchild Derrec Mongan, his great grandchild Seanna Ashley Mongan, his great grandchild Logan Tassin, his great grandchild Karly Tassin, his great grandchild Jordan Westerfield, his great grandchild Kaitlyn Blake, his great grandchild Cutter Vick, his great grandchild Christopher Smeraldo, his great grandchild Daniel Smeraldo, his great-great granchild Adeline Marie O'neil Smith and his great-great granchild Cillian Jorgensen Mongan.
Knud was preceded in death by his wife Edith Marie Christoffersen; his father Neils Christoffersen and his mother Valborg Agnata Christoffersen; his brother Kai Bang; his brother Valdemar Emile Wilhelm Christoffersen; his brother Ejnar Johan Christoffersen; his sister Rigmor Florance Christoffersen (Liffick); his sister Margrethe Maria Christoffersen (Lewis) and his sister Astrid Agatha Christoffersen (Coss); his grandchild Stephen Michael Christoffersen.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Christoffersen family.
