Trudy Knipe

Trudy Elaine Knipe passed away in her home on March 6th, 2021.  This peaceful event was filled with love and attended by her husband of 53 years Bert, both of her children, Martel and Charles, as well as her niece Jill, her sisters Marlene and Ruby, and close family friend Lori.

Trudy’s life had many happy memories.  She loved to laugh, dance and sing.  She was a prankster at heart.  She loved to sneak up behind you and say “boo” or try to pull your pants down.  If you had to go to the bathroom while in the woods, you had to hide from Trudy so she wouldn’t sneak a picture.  She will always be remembered for having her camera in hand ready for that candid shot!  One of her biggest passions in life was photography.  She enjoyed taking pictures of wildlife, landscapes, friends, family, and even strangers if they caught her eye.

She was a fun-loving woman who enjoyed big get-togethers with family and friends.  Her two favorite annual get-togethers were the Antique Car Show in St. Ignace and the AuSable Canoe Race in Grayling.  She always looked forward to celebrating her birthday during canoe race weekend which included a scavenger hunt for her presents.

Some of her favorite pastime activities were flower gardening, camping, canoeing, and boating.  She also loved spending time with children and animals.  Anyone who knew Trudy knew she loved kids of all ages and they loved her back.  She has one grandchild, Jacob, and is also loved by many neighborhood kids who would call her “mom,” made her beam with happiness.  Her love of animals meant the house was always occupied with at least one pet, including several dogs, cats, and even a white goose named Ginger.

Her two biggest successes were raising her daughter, Martie, and her son, Chuck.  They both grew up feeling her love and loving her in return.  Another one of her favorite accomplishments was earning excellent grades at Kirtland Community College.

She was born on July 23rd, 1947 in Frankfort, MI to Dora “Delphia” and Charles Trowbridge.  Trudy graduated from Bellaire High School.  She married Berten K. Knipe on March 30, 1968

Trudy was a loving and supportive wife to Bert Knipe, mother to Martel (Melanie) Knipe, Chuck (Andrea) Knipe and grandma to Jacob Knipe. She will be deeply missed by her siblings LaMoine Patterson, Melvina Amble, Devier Trowbridge, Art (Lucinda) Trowbridge, Arthella Trowbridge, Marvin (Irene) Trowbridge, Marlene (Gary) Vadja, Ruby Miller, as well as many close nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and the many close friends that became our extended family. She will also be dearly missed by KeeKee and Indie, her loving cats. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Arvella Anderson and Vida Dunson, and brother Roy Trowbridge.

The family would like to thank the staff of Compassus (hospice) of West Branch and caregiver Pat Daly. They cared for Trudy as if she was one of their own family members and continue to provide bereavement support for our family.  In lieu of flowers we would appreciate your support for the Compassus Living Foundation (https://compassuslivingfoundation.org/give/) in memory of Trudy Knipe.

She made lifelong friends and memories wherever she lived.  She genuinely cared for those around her - considering everyone she met as her extended family.  The family will be hosting a Celebration of Trudy’s Life this summer.  If you would like to attend, please contact one of her immediate family members so you can pay your respects to this loving woman.