Julia Knoll

Kind, compassionate and caring, Julia Knoll was all these and more. With heartfelt commitment, Julia labored selflessly for the cause of Right to Life and was a strong advocate for adoption. As a woman of faith, Julia was a giving church member. Although treasured possessions were held close to her heart, nothing compared to the love and importance Julia placed on her family. She was a devoted wife, dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved her family dearly. As Julia leaves cherished memories within their hearts, she will be forever remembered and deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

In the close knit community of Graafschap in Holland, Michigan, George and Mary (Borgman) Gruppen were exceptionally blessed when they welcomed the birth of their infant daughter on October 10, 1924 and lovingly named her Julia. It was a positive time in America as the nation continued to reel in good fortune with industry soaring and the economy booming. One of seven children, Julia shared much growing up with her two brothers and four sisters. Although times proved to be difficult during the Depression, everyone stuck together and made do. Even so, Julia enjoyed a pleasant childhood, making several good friends in the neighborhood and at school. Julia attended the local schools in Graafschap, but like many young people during this time, she left school in the eighth grade to seek employment.

The onset of World War II brought great concern across the nation. Much was being done to support the war effort, and with many men off to war, women began entering the workforce in droves. One of Julia’s first jobs included a position working at the Holland Racine Shoe Company. While there, she met a handsome young man named Elmer Knoll. Thinking he was pretty swell, the feeling was mutual because Elmer thought Julia was a pretty neat looking gal as well. Before long the pair began dating and soon found themselves celebrating their wedding day on September 19, 1946. They were married at Julia’s sisters house and even though neither of them could afford much, they managed to rig up a microphone in a neighbor’s house and ran speakers to her sisters where the wedding was taking place.

Beginning their new life together, the young couple spent their first night as husband and wife in Saugatuck where they stayed in a cabin before spending a memorable time for their honeymoon traveling around Lake Michigan. They set-up house in Holland where over time they lovingly welcomed three wonderful adopted children into their hearts. Ellen, Earl and Eric brought Julia great joy and she loved being their mother. She embraced them with all she had and with great dedication and devotion. As a family, they spent many enjoyable times together venturing north to go camping at Timber Shores. Julia held many cherished memories from the their times there. Very particular about the way things were done, Julia liked routine and preferred to have everything in place. As a mother, she was considered strict and expected each of her children to toe the mark which wasn’t always a bad thing as they each came to appreciate it greatly in their lives.

Adopting their children became a big stepping stone in Elmer and Julia’s lives. It paved the way for their heartfelt commitment toward Right to Life issues and strong advocates for its cause. Very dear to Julia’s heart, she promoted the importance of adoption as a means to the Right to Life mission. For many years Julia and Elmer were in charge of their mailings and were steadfast in sharing their endeavor with others. A woman of faith, Julia was a longtime member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where, with her caring and thoughtful demeanor, also devoted much of her time.

As an accomplished seamstress, word got out about Julia’s exceptional talent with her sewing machine and before long she started taking in jobs that allowed her to be at home with the children. DuMez Clothing Store even recruited Julia to become their exclusive seamstress when they heard how skilled she was. She went on to work for the clothing store for many years and throughout this time she even made beautiful wedding and bridesmaid dresses for a few family members. When it came to music, Julia was fond of religious and gospel music, including hymns. One of her favorites was the Light Bearer’s Quartet. During the afternoons, Julia often engrossed herself in soap operas. With a knack for cooking and baking, Julia made her children’s birthdays extra special by making the cakes herself. She absolutely loved to make special cakes and goodies. One of her specialties and a special family favorites included Bonket, a Dutch almond pastry.

Once the children left home and began having families of their own, Elmer and Julia reveled as grandparents. This time also gave them opportunity to enjoy a little travel. They went on many bus tours around the country seeing the sights and visiting many attractions. They enjoyed traveling together, and for a time they even delivered and picked up cars for a local car dealer. When Julia wasn‘t up to cooking, they enjoyed a good meal at Brann’s Steakhouse or the Old Country Buffet.

A lifelong resident of Holland, Julia loved the community and its rich heritage. Some of her most cherished possessions included her collection of Candlewick Glass, and she loved collecting her precious porcelain dolls, many of which had been given as gifts. Nothing compared to Julia’s most prized treasure of all, her family. Her faith, husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were near and dear to her heart and very important in her life.

At the age of 85, Julia Knoll passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at the Rest Haven Care Center. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Elmer; her children: Ellen Tornovish of Kewaunee, WI, Earl Knoll of Fennville, and Eric Knoll of South Haven; grandchildren, Todd Van Wieren, Erica Nienhuis, and Stephanie Van Wieren; great-grandchildren: Chelsea, Cody, Connor, Logan, Dillon, Makenna, and Aiden; a brother, Gordon and Judy Gruppen of Holland; in-laws: Joyce Gebben of Holland, Ken and Jane Knoll of Zeeland, and Pearl and Jay Breuker of Zeeland; several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services for Julia will tale place at 11:00 AM Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1015 East 32nd Street with the Rev. Kenneth Klett and Tom Vanden Heuvel officiating. Burial in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation with her family will be 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Thursday at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street. Memorial contributions may be directed to Right to Life. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory, photo or to sign her online guest book.