Carole Lynn Knoop (née Meinke), 84, of Grand Rapids, passed away June 5, 2025 unexpectedly after a brief illness. She was a devoted wife, a proud mother and grandmother, a loving sister, and a caring friend.

She spent most of her life cooking and baking and hosting family and friends at her Kentwood home, a cottage her husband built in Cadillac, Michigan and then later at a condo in Apollo Beach, Florida. In recent years, she filled her days having coffee with friends, sharing Sunday dinners with family, spoiling her dog, finding treasures at thrift stores and sending her grandkids text messages with emojis and her signature — LOL (lots of love), Grandma. Carole will forever be remembered for her unmatched peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (if you know, you know). A few of her last batches may be found in freezers in Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, and Michigan on their way to NYC. And these precious remains will be rationed and shared with only the truly deserving. (There's a rumor of an almond butter variant made for a grandchild with a peanut allergy but those require proof of medical necessity for sharing.) Besides these precious few cookies, and a recipe that doesn't seem to replicate their magic, Carole leaves behind her daughter Darcy (Andy) Hatch; her daughter-in-law Lisa Knoop: her grandchildren Caroline (Kyle), Grace, Maddy, Drew, and Owen; her sister and best friend Donna (Stu) Howard; her sister-in-law Margie (Harlan) Schram; many cherished nieces and nephews and a wonderful legacy of lifelong friendships including Nancy and Larry Branagan who became chosen family. Carole is preceded in death by the loveliest of husbands, James (Jim) Knoop, her son Stephen (Steve) Knoop (who discovered that those peanut butter cookies were best eaten frozen and two at a time), her grandson James, sister Barbara (Phillip) Force and her brother Robert (Linda) Meinke. Carole's next chapter will be one she has been looking forward to for a while — a family reunion that will no doubt include a toast, butterflies, and a perfect sunset.

A memorial service celebrating Carole's life is being planned for August.