Jul 27, 1941 - Mar 3, 2022 (Age 80)
I cannot begin to put into words the impact this woman has had on my life! Reading of her adventures in the Daily Express, having her share with church groups and students of her work, praying with her for decades, studying God's word with her, laughing,.... The last time we worshiped together was at Schuyler County nursing home. There were six of us in prayer, sharing, and song. Thank you God for my friend Hattie.
Connie Charles
March 08, 2022 | Friend
Harriet (Hattie) Mary Kneeland, 80, of Kirksville, MO passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Schuyler County Nursing Home. Born July 27, 1941, in Kirksville, MO, she was the beloved daughter of the late Dr. Gerald Leroy and Harriet (Jane) "Swain" Kneeland. Hattie graduated high school in Bethel, Maine, and attended Houghton College in New York where she studied linguistics. Hattie began her missionary training in Texas and Mexico. Hattie was assigned as a Wycliffe Bible Translator in 1968, to the Matses tribe in the jungles of Peru. The Matses were feared for their aggression, tried to imitate the jaguar by tattooing their faces and wearing whiskers of straw in their lips and chins, and all previous contact attempts had failed. A year after Hattie and her missionary partner, Harriet Fields, started living in the jungle, they were able to become part of the tribe, and each were fondly known over the years as Tita (Mom). Hattie worked with the tribe members for over 50 years to translate and revise the Bible to the Matses language and dialect. On furloughs, Hattie would travel to churches throughout the United States presenting her work with the Matses tribe, sometimes dressing the part. Correspondence from Hattie was printed in the Kirksville Daily Express during the 1970's and 80's. Hattie was a long-standing member of First Baptist Church, Kirksville, MO. Hattie is survived by her two sisters, Rachel Carrigan, in New Hampshire and Deborah McKim of Kirksville, MO as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. She was predeceased by her parents, sister, Susan Barrett, and brother, David Kneeland. . Special thank you to Scott McKim and Curtis Fowler for their loving care. Hattie asked to be returned to her tribe upon her death. Memorial contributions may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, Peruvian Matses Tribe, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 62862 or by visiting https://www.wycliffe.org/peru.
Read More
