Mary Jane Knibbs (Joseph)

Mary Jane Knibbs died peacefully on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City. She was born in Grayling on July 17, 1922 to A.J. Joseph and Eva Ryan Joseph. On July 24, 1946 she married Leonard H. Knibbs in Salt Lake City and they had four children, Linda (Michael) Brady of Chicago, Nancy (Michael) Elliott of Ann Arbor, James (Cynthia) of Petoskey, and Holly (Robert Long) of Traverse City, who all survive. She is also survived by grandchildren Michael Elliott, Natalie (Jon) Eifert and Andrea (Brad) Bertels, and great-granddaughter Hailee Bertels. Preceding her in death were her husband, her brother William Joseph, and her parents. Mary Jane was valedictorian of her graduating class at Grayling High School in 1940. She graduated from Michigan State College in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science degree in foods and nutrition and then worked for two years at the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. After her marriage in 1946, she and her husband lived in the Philippine Islands, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Japan while he served in the US Air Force. In the early 1950's they returned to Grayling, where she has since made her home and raised her family. She was a talented cook, skilled seamstress and thoughtful hostess, and was involved in the many church and school activities in which her children were engaged. Throughout this time Mary Jane managed to care for her ill parents and win various golf tournaments at the Grayling Country Club, where she earned her first trophy at age 16 and her final at age 73. In mid-life, Mary Jane completed her teaching requirements through Central Michigan University and taught second grade at the Grayling Elementary School for 20 years. Upon retirement she was a member, volunteer or officer at the Grayling Country Club, where she was the first woman to serve on the board of directors, the Crawford County Historical Society, River House, Grayling Promotional Association, and the Lake Margrethe Property Owners Association. She also founded a Red Hats group in Grayling and in Orange Beach, AL. She has been active in various groups dedicated to preserving the natural environment of Crawford County, and was a member of several bridge clubs. Mary Jane and Leonard created many wonderful memories for their children and their families, and she was glad to have been so involved with the lives of her grandchildren. She was a loving, caring, generous woman and enjoyed the company of all ages. Mary Jane Knibbs touched the lives of many and we shall all miss her dearly. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1 pm Saturday, August 7, 2010 at the Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church in Grayling, and the family will greet friends in the hour before the service begins. Her burial will be a private ceremony at Maple Forest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church, 400 East Michigan Ave., Grayling MI 49738, and to the Crawford County Historical Society, PO Box 218, Grayling MI 49738. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Jane Knibbs (Joseph), please visit our flower store.