Minnie Knuppenburg

Minnie Knuppenburg was a woman who appreciated life’s simpler pleasures, from telling tales around the campfire, to Little League games and Sunday church sessions. She was a wonderful woman, who devoted her life to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Today her life, and her love, lives on in all who knew her.

Minnie’s story began on a cold fall day in 1929, in the little town of Hersey, Michigan, just north of Big Rapids. Those were turbulent times in this country, as the stock market crash that September created the terrible times of the Great Depression. Amid those uncertain times, George and Mary Downs found a reason to celebrate on December 2, 1929, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Minnie.

Minnie joined her big brother Art and little siblings Bernie, Gladys, Donna and Marvin in the family’s home growing up. They moved around a bit in the early years, as her dad looked for work, eventually building a home on Park Street in Muskegon Heights, where he found a job at Shaw Walker.

Times were tough for so many, the Downs family included, and they didn’t even own a car in those days. Minnie’s dad drove a motorized bicycle to work every day. They had each other, though, and they had their faith, as loyal members of the Nazarene Church.

Minnie attended Muskegon Heights Schools, and eventually attended Muskegon Heights High School. Her mother sadly died when Minnie was 17, so after she graduated in 1948, Minnie moved back to Hersey, to live with some family there.

She found a few different jobs in Hersey, but it was her personal life that got more interesting. One day she met a handsome young man named Lewis Knuppenburg, who was home on leave from the Army. The sparks flew between them, and a whirlwind romance soon followed. The young couple was married on Friday the 13th in February of 1953, a date that was nothing but good luck for them!

It wasn’t long before the newlyweds became parents, as well, with their son Bruce born later that year. Jeff followed in 1956, and Gary would round out the happy family in 1960.

As their family grew, the couple built a beautiful home on Brooks Road in Fruitport Township in 1957, a home where they shared so many wonderful memories, and where Minnie would live the rest of her life.

Minnie was a wonderful homemaker and mother, and a great cook, too. She was exceptionally organized, and everything had its place and was labeled accordingly. Lewis provided well for the family by working long hours at the paper mill, often putting in overtime to help the family afford the many vacations they took together.

The family loved to go camping, and went all over the place, especially up north at Mackinaw, where they always participated in the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk. They took other non-camping related vacations around the country, too, but camping was their favorite pastime.

They were also big fans of the National Pastime, and Minnie loved watching her boys play Little League baseball, especially when Lewis was the team’s coach. She was also a big Detroit Tigers fan, and enjoyed listening to the games on the radio.

When the boys grew up and moved out, Minnie and Lewis bought a trailer and would take it to Rose Lake, just south of Cadillac, where they’d leave it all summer and go stay there as often as possible.

When Lewis eventually retired, they’d spend the whole summer there, boating and sitting by the campfire with family and the large group of good friends they made there. Minnie made friends everywhere, though, as people were drawn to her quick wit and great sense of humor.

The couple also began wintering in Lakeland, Florida, which was perfect for Minnie, who loved going to watch the Tigers’ spring training games.

When the boys were young, the family was faithful members of the Nazarene Church, though later in life Minnie and Lewis switched to the First Congregational Church of Fruitport, where they became active members. Minnie was the financial secretary there for the Ladies Fellowship there for many years, as well. She remained active at the church even when they stayed up at Rose Lake, too.

No matter where she was, whether it was Lakeland or Rose Lake, Minnie always stayed in close contact with her beloved family. She loved to talk, and called her relatives regularly. She was also a doting Grandma, who kept up with all the activities of her grandkids, too.

Minnie’s beloved Lewis battled heart problems for many years, and sadly died on September 12, 1996.

She persevered, buoyed by her family and her faith, but eventually, Minnie began having health problems of her own. She began having lung problems in the early 2000s, and needed to go on oxygen. She didn’t let it slow her down much, and remained very independent, determined to live on her own and in her own house.

Then, early in February of 2008, Minnie was admitted to the hospital. Her family expected her to make a full recovery and come home again, but she sadly took a turn for the worse and died there on Friday, February 15th, 2008, at the age of 78.

Minnie was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of family, faith, and simple pleasures. Most of all, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, whose life, and love, lives on in all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Minnie is survived by her 3 sons, Bruce (Karen) Knuppenburg of Norton Shores, Jeffrey (Pam) Knuppenburg of KY, Gary (Ann) Knuppenburg of Norton Shores; 10 grandchildren, Gina & Thom, Terry, Scott & Jenn, Mary & Rick, Luke & Kimmy, Becky & Nick, Amy, Rachel, Erin, Brook; 5 great grandchildren, Ashlea, Ally, Tyler, Dalani, Kayla; brother, Marvin Downs of Baldwin; 2 sisters, Gladys (George) Langlois of Nunica, Donna DeCan of Spring Lake; 3 sisters-in-law, Norma Knuppenburg of Fruitport, Norma Downs of Luther, Rene Downs of CA; stepbrother, Bill Meredith; stepsister, Pat Meredith; many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers, Art and Bernie Downs; and by her stepmother, Natalie Downs.

Services are scheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 1:00 PM at First Congregational Church of Fruitport with Rev. Ronald DePung officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery.

Visitation is Monday, 5-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Memorial donations may be made to the Women's Fellowship at First Congregational Church of Fruitport. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.