Glenna Glee Setchfield Knape

Glenna Glee Setchfield Knape, age 97, of East Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away peacefully on October 21, 2020. She was at her home and surrounded by family. Glenna was born August 24, 1923 to Mabel (Goodrich) and Richard Setchfield in Ionia, Michigan. She graduated from Ionia High School and attended Davenport Business School. On February 12, 1949 she married Herb, the love of her life. They raised 7 children in the home Herb built for her on Fisk Lake. Glenna was the classiest, warmest, kindest, and strongest woman you could ever meet. She loved big band music and dancing. From their first dance at the bandshell in Fruitport until well into their nineties, she and Herb were light and handsome on the dance floor. Glenna especially loved being Grandma to sixteen grandkids and had the biggest smile on her face when she spent time with them: babysitting, going on outings, attending sailing regattas, and cheering at their sporting events. She was loved for her graciousness, always welcoming the family’s friends and neighbors. She made the Knape house the fun place to be. When life permitted, she and Herb traveled the world, with one adventure after another. Her family is grateful for the love she showed, guiding each of them to happy, successful, and adventuresome lives. She was a parishioner of St. Stephens Parish, volunteering many years at their thrift shop. Glenna was a member and volunteer for Babies Welfare Guild and Camp Blodgett.  She enjoyed membership and socializing at the Grand Rapids Women’s City Club. Glenna treasured her many friends at the Spring Lake Yacht Club. As the matriarch of Fisk Lake, she was loved by her neighbors and referred to as “Grandma Knape” by generations of neighborhood children. She will be dearly missed by her children, Judy and Bryan Lane, Mary Lou Knoch, John and Lucy Knape, Jim Knape and Eva Kipper, Bill and Cindy Knape, Betsy and Jerry Anderson, and Bob and Colleen Knape; 15 grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Herb, grandson, Teddy Knape, daughter-in-law, Barbara Plonski Knape, son-in-law, Bruce Knoch, her 4 brothers and sister and their spouses, and Herb’s 5 sisters and spouses. The family wishes to thank Glenna’s special helpers from Homewatch Caregivers, and Amy Johnson for all their kind and compassionate care. A private family funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, October 28 at 10 AM. The mass will be streamed live and recorded. You can view it at this link: https://youtu.be/e_GGGLcH8-k. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Blodgett’s Babies Welfare Guild, PO Box 6645, Grand Rapids, MI 49516.