Mrs. Rita L. Knopf

Rita Louise Knopf, 80, of Marlette Township, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 29, 2017, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was born April 13, 1936 in Saginaw to the late Louis N. Roussin and Hazel King Bolitho. She married Ronald O. Gippert on September 2, 1956, in Manistique. He preceded her in death on December 24, 2002. She married Stanley H. Knopf on November 27, 2004 in Marlette. Rita was employed by Marlette Community Hospital for 28 years in accounting and then pharmacy. She enjoyed singing, reading, Bible Study, and gardening. Rita loved to sing barbershop harmony and was a member of Sweet Adelines in Lansing, Flint and Lapeer, as well as various singing groups in the Marlette area. Rita was instrumental in promoting recycling with Project Glass in Marlette in the early 1970’s. She was an avid Band Booster and Marlette Red Raider Supporter during the school years of her six children and passed on a love for music and education to her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 12 years, Stanley Knopf of Marlette; her six children, daughter Kathryn Ruby (Thomas Wilton) of Burtchville, son Dr. Garry Gippert (Dr. Barbara Halkier) of Copenhagen, Denmark, daughter Colleen (David) McLaren of Holland, Michigan, daughter Jill (Leslie) Latham of Marysville, son Rev. James (Laurie) Gippert of Fremont, Ohio, and son Kurt Gippert (Maria Paula Cabrera) of Chicago; a sister, Alice (Robert) Hauske of Traverse City; a brother, Joel Roussin of Menominee; 13 grandchildren, Terra Ruby Sochacki, Carl-Erik Gippert, Noah, Crista, and Gabrielle McLaren, Benjamin, Joshua, and Jeremy Latham, Rachel Gippert Riedel, Caleb, Rebekah, Hannah, and Hope Gippert; 2 great-grandchildren, Chloe Klebba and Olivia Sochacki; step-children Barbara (Randy) Kinnick of Rochester, Minnesota, Brenda (Stephen) Nesbitt of Grand Ledge, David (Beth) Knopf of Louisville, Kentucky, Kathleen (John) Simpson of Grand Rapids, and Nancy (David) Mattson of Eaton Rapids; and several nieces and nephews. Rita was preceded in death by her brother, Ramon Roussin, grandson, Zachary Latham, and granddaughter, Elissa Latham. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Grace Bible Church in Marlette. Reverend Michael Hollenbeck will officiate. Arrangements were handled by Jowett Funeral Home of Port Huron. Memorial Gifts may be given to Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation. Online condolences can be shared at www.jowettfuneraldirectors.com

Mrs. Rita L. Knopf

April 13, 1936 - January 29, 2017