Karen Marie Knoff Becker (Grease to her father, Mom and 1,000 + 1 nicknames to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren) stepped into eternity on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at the tender age of 80. She chose to go out on a day that embodies who she was on this earth, Love. She was a lover but also a fighter and that’s how she left this world, kicking butt and taking names all the way up to St. Peter to put in his book.

At 5 foot nothing (she claimed it was 5’2” – I guess we can give her that) she may have been small in stature but dang was she feisty and full of sass. Potentially a result of growing up in Michigan with those 5 mile walks to and from school in the snow (uphill both ways, naturally) and being the third oldest of eight rowdy siblings. She perfected the bulldog glare at an early age and made sure to pass down that signature pout to her grandchildren.

Karen attended Catholic school for her entire education and graduated in 1961, which is a testament to her survival skills (those nuns and their rulers, very brutal). These skills helped her through life but certainly did not define her. It was her Love. Love for her faith and anything and everything she deemed beautiful, no matter how small. Her love especially took great care of her children.

Karen was legendary for protecting her family and keeping secrets you didn’t want anyone to know (see nickname, Foggy Bottom). No sacrifice was too great or small when it came to her ragtag bunch of kids from staying up late watching spaghetti westerns and bad lip synced karate movies eating tortilla pizzas, to eye witness accounts that she never even flinched when stepping between her kids and someone else’s fist. 5 feet or 7 feet she could wrestle the biggest person to the ground if that’s what she had to do to protect one of her own. Not that we got away with anything mind you, that gimlet stare was all it took and you better eat your peas and brussel sprouts because you weren’t leaving the table until you did (we are pretty sure that wooden spoon was just for intimidation factor?). She was the Mom every kid wanted to have as their own, she was and always will be our Greatest Champion (looking at you St. Peter for our names to be there despite our questionable status) but definitely made it clear when she didn’t like something or someone.

She leaves behind a huge list of people who don’t appreciate her expeditious exit from this mortal coil, including four of her younger siblings, Janyce (and husband John), Kirk (and wife Barbara), Gary (and wife Carol) and Steven (and wife Eileen). However, we know she is presently laughing in Heaven with her parents Paul and Beverly (Bliss) Knoff; twin sisters Gail and Gretchen; and younger brother Gregory. That “thunderstorm” isn’t really rain and thunder but them laughing until they pee (we suggest you invest in an umbrella or remain indoors during thunderstorms).

She orphaned (just kidding Mom) her four children and their unsuspecting spouses, Brian (husband to Deanna), Kim, Mark (husband to Rachel), and Heather (wife to Sean). An entire brood of 15 grandchildren (Mark, Ashlee, Amanda, Dakota, Chance, Nickole, Ethen, Colton, Reesea, Branson, Roman, Sean, Eyan, MacGregor and Watson) and 11 great-grandchildren (Leo, Selah, Jasper, Klay, Savannah, Mason, Otto, Theodore, Amelia, Jose, and Brooks). She was also a beloved aunt to her two dozen nieces and nephews. Keeping track of all those kids is probably what made her heart give out in the end.

She was devoted to her Faith and her children are still sorting through her stack of prayer books. Yet her grandchildren loved her array of colorful cuss words, particularly when behind the wheel of a car.

An amazing cook with dubious Midwest preferences for liverwurst, bologna, peanut butter + miracle whip sandwiches but made the best homemade refried beans, tortillas, chimichangas, grilled cheese, meatballs, and meatloaf and mashed potatoes. She adored dark chocolate, and we are pretty sure we will be finding stashes of various chocolates in creative places throughout the house.

Taking after her father, Karen was a talented artist who preferred the medium of painting and enjoyed sharing her gift with others. She loved trees, flowers, landscapes and painted them frequently.

For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Services.