1/21/10 | Print Version

Knute Nicholas Warland

Knute Nicholas Warland, 88, Woodstock, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at The Fountains of Crystal Lake.

He was born Feb. 25, 1921, in Stavanger, Norway, to Knut and Aasta (Eidsvig) Warland.

Raised in Norway, he came to the United States in the mid-1930s with his family, settling in Chicago. He graduated from Lane Tech High School and later from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, N.Y. He served four years in World War II in the U.S. Navy and was commissioned to the rank of lieutenant. He was in five major battles. During one of the battles, his ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat, and he was at sea for more than five days.

After the war, he joined the Merchant Marines, serving for more than 40 years. During that time, he was a marine engineer for several shipping companies. After retiring from the Merchant Marines at age 65, he worked as a stationary engineer for five years at a hospital in San Francisco.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing chess and talking about his adventures at sea.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan (Fred) Schultz, Johnsburg; two grandsons, Gregory (Galia) Schultz, Chicago, and Christopher (Theresa) Schultz, Fort Worth, Texas; and a brother, Finn (Rosemary) Warland.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Avon Centre Cemetery, Grayslake.

Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial & Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674; or to Seasons Hospice, 606 Potter Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Online condolences can be made at www.justenfh.com.