Elizabeth L Knaust

Elizabeth (Betty) Audrey LaTour Knaust, 85, born July 17, 1928, in Kingston, New York passed away Sunday, May 4 surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of Herman and Elizabeth LaTour of Kingston, New York. Betty came from a musical family and was a well-known area soloist. She met her husband while performing at a benefit recital given at the home of her future in-laws. She married Herman Karl Knaust on June 24, 1950 and together they have resided at Stroomzeit, Saugerties, New York for 64 years.

Betty was a graduate of Kingston High School and later attended the Crane School of Music at Potsdam College, New York. She also studied with the eminent baritone and voice teacher, Harrington van Hoesen, in the New York Studios of Frank La Forge.

Betty was an amazingly devoted, loving, caring and thoughtful wife and mother to her beloved husband, Sonny, and their five children. She was happiest with family and friends gathered together in her kitchen for meals or a cup of tea, and always wanted her home to be filled with peace, joy and laughter. She imparted her expert gardening and homemaking skills on to her children and grandchildren, baking delicious cookies and cakes daily, particularly applesauce cake, from a special LaTour family recipe. Betty and Sonny enjoyed gathering vegetables for meals, and picking blackberries, strawberries and tomatoes for jam and canning from their wonderful garden that they began and maintained throughout all the years they were raising their family. Her genuinely kind, gentle and loving heart, and the great examples she set, will always be remembered by and live on in her family.



Betty was active in the life of her church and community. She was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Camp, NY where she served as president of the church council, sang in the choir and was a member of the West Camp Auxiliary. Betty was a member of the Musical Society of Kingston, Community Concerts, the Junior League of Kingston, and the Saugerties Monday Club where she served as President.

She is survived by her husband, Herman, daughters Karlyn Elizabeth Knaust Elia (Dick Duncan) of Saugerties, NY, Barbara Ann Knaust Hancock (Scott Hancock) of Tokyo, Japan, Elizabeth Alexandra Knaust of London, England, sons Herman Karl Knaust the third (Peggy Almquist) of Saugerties, NY and Mark Hamilton Knaust of Saugerties, NY, grandchildren Anthony Elia of Indianapolis, Indiana, Matthew Elia (Lauren) of Boston, Mass and Sarah Elia (Yoshiki Miyazawa) of New Paltz, NY, Victoria Campbell of Saugerties, NY, Katharine Hancock of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Morgan Hancock of Paul Smiths, New York. Great grand children Lilah and Solje Elia, Owen and Liam Elia, a sister, Margaret Young, of Rochester, NY. Her sister Natalie Keyser predeceased her. She is survived by many much-loved nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Kingston Hospital, Hudson Valley Hospice, and Rev. Edward Schreiber for their care and kindness.

Friends will be received at the Seamon - Wilsey Funeral Home, corner of John and Lafayette St., Saugerties on Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. The service will be Friday at 11 am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, West Camp. Burial in Mt. View Cemetery, Saugerties.

The family requests that donations in her memory be made to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4203 Route 9W, West Camp, NY 12490.