On February 18, 2022, in the presence of God and her family, Mary Knape went to her heavenly home. Mary was born on February 11, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from Mount Mercy High School and married her beloved husband, Richard S. Knape on September 8, 1951. They were married for nearly 59 years, before Dick passed away on August 2, 2010. Together they raised seven children in a loving, Catholic home. Mom enjoyed serving IHM with the Altar Society, the Funeral Luncheons and Eucharistic Ministry. Mary is survived by her loving children, Stephen G. Knape, Thomas and Shelley Knape, Richard S. Knape, Jr., Anne (Knape) Daniels, Mara (Knape) Hayes, Peter and Antoinette Knape, and Melissa and Hank Bock. Also, she is survived by her many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a cherished Aunt to many nieces and nephews. While she enjoyed her service to IHM she loved caring for her children & grandchildren. She enjoyed attending their sporting events & musical concerts. Mary is survived by siblings, Gerard (J.B.) and Pat Berles, Frank and Marty Berles and Bill Berles. She was preceded in death by siblings, Robert A. Berles, Elizabeth (Berles) Brandstatter, Margaret (Peggy) Berles; her parents, Carl and Anna Berles; and her daughter-in- law, Mary Eileen Knape. Visitation will be held Monday February 21, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm with a Rosary at 6:30pm at O’Brien Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday February 22, 2022, at 11:00am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE Grand Rapids, with visitation one hour prior. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 423 First St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, or The Killgoar Foundation for IHM School, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
