Renate Maria Knoff

Renate Knoff, or Nati, as she has been lovingly known to us, wasn´t simply our cherished friend; she was the embodiment of kindness, style, humor, and pride for Germany, her native country. I can still remember her and Gunnar´s joyous expression when we brought our baby daughter to their apartment at Spruce Creek on Kenmure drive for the first time in 2006. Nati´s super neat apartment was always a source of laughters, great conversation, and of home cook meals for the three of us. For a number of years the aroma of her excellent dishes such as the homemade Apfelkuchen (apple cake) or Westfalische Pferrerpothast (German beef stew) would greet us as we walked in. Our families always spent holiday times together, exchanging gifts and having hearty conversation about books, movies, her and Gunnar's wartime memories, food, etc. We will always cherish precious memories we share with the Knoff. "You may be gone, Nati; yet, your beautiful and expressive eyes always shine brightly in our memories."

Posted by Mordi Cooney on October 31, 2024 (pictures of Gunnar at Nati at our home in Kalamazoo)