Patricia Ann Knoester, age 73, of Grand Rapids, MI, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, February 7, 2025. She died from complications due to the influenza virus.

Pat was born September 1, 1951, to the late Carl and Virginia Sneller in Fremont, Michigan. She developed her great work ethic and tenacity from growing up and working on a fruit farm with her ten siblings.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. While at Calvin, Pat played her trumpet in the orchestra and was an actor in several thespian productions. She had the lead role in the play Pippi Longstocking.

Pat met her husband, Arie, while working as a counselor at Camp Tall Turf, a Christian camp for inner-city youth from Grand Rapids, Chicago, and Detroit. They were married in 1972 and they worked at Tall Turf for 16 years.

For most of her adult life, Pat was an elementary teacher in the Grand Rapids Christian Schools. As a teacher, she was the best. She taught with enthusiasm, purpose, creativity and humor. Throughout her life she was able to bond with kids, and she had a special place in her heart for students who struggled.

Pat was an adventurous and joyful person. She was enthusiastic about camping with her grandchildren, traveling and hiking with her husband, gardening, playing group games and having big family get-togethers in the backyard. Pat also had a knack for painting and refinishing furniture.

She also had a servant’s heart which was evident through her involvement throughout the community. Most recently she volunteered at a thrift store and was instrumental in helping to organize the food pantry at Grace Church. Finally, she was a serious person. She belonged to two book clubs, paid careful attention to the news and was not afraid to express her views. She attended Grace Church since she was in college and followed the ways of Jesus both in thought and in deed.

Pat was preceded in death by her younger sister, Laurel, and her brother-in-law, Clay Brown. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 52 years, Arie; her children, Peter (Sara) Knoester, Jeremy (Sara) Knoester, Tara Knoester,  Kim Knoester (Brett Dahlberg); and her honorary daughter​, Camila Gil; her grandchildren, Jonah, Aidan, Micah, Dante, Emma, Arie, Camila and Ezra; her sisters and brothers, Kathy (Leon) VanRees, Andy (Celia) Sneller, Norm (Kathy) Sneller, Tom (Leigh) Sneller, Mark (Ann) Sneller, Ron (Cindy) Sneller, Scott (Sue) Sneller, Cal (Joy) Sneller, Jodi Hossink; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill (Julie) Knoester, Dave (Marcia) Knoester, John (Mary) Knoester, Julia (Bruce) DeKraker, Carol Brown; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Pat's life will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, February 22, at Grand Rapids Christian High School, Center for Arts and Worship, 2300 Plymouth Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506​. Visitations will be held on Friday, February 21, from 3-5 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. at Grace Church, 100 Buckley SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, and again preceding the funeral from 10-10:45 a.m at Grand Rapids Christian High School. Interment will be in Blain Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Church.