Obituary

Remembering Lester Knot

Lester Allen “Les” Knot, age 81, of Hudsonville, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, after a courageous two year journey with cancer.  Les was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who served his Lord with an unwavering faith. His love for his family and his steadfast hope in Christ was evident to all who knew him. He had a lifelong service in Christian Education as a band director and administrator. Les served his Lord with his time and talents in many ways both in his church and community. He was preceded in death by his first wife Seppie; daughter Leanne; grandson Michael; sisters-in-law Betty Katje and Caroline Hoekstra; brothers-in-law Fred Katje and John Katje; and his brother Alvin Knot. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of  32 years, Joan; his children and grandchildren, Craig and Debbie Knot (Andrew, Mariel and Brian Haverdink, Anneke and fiance Logan Vos, David, Juliana, Elisabeth), Carla and Scott Zastrow (Alexi, Cody), Brian and Melissa Knot (Jacob, Samuel, Hannah, John, Ava), Justin and Jordan Knot (Josiah, Maggie); brother, Roger Knot; sister, Beverly Pratt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Katje, Ann Katje, Jim and Lila Katje, Jeanine Katje,  Bob and Ruth Katje, Emily Katje, Dorothy Katje, Joyce and Steve Sytsma, John and Georgina Huizenga, Gerben and Pat Hoekstra, Bill Hoekstra, Bob and Marilyn Hoekstra; many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 24, at 11 am at Immanuel CRC, 3520 Kiel St, Hudsonville, with Rev. Robert Huisman officiating.  Interment Georgetown Township Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr SW. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Unity Christian High School or Hudsonville Christian School.

Guestbook

Tribute Messages

Leave Your Tribute
My condolences to Joan and the family. I was sorry to see that Les had passed away. I worked with Les at Jenison Christian and with Brian at Unity Christian.. I always thought Les was a very nice guy and had great kids too.

— Kay DEN BRABER

To the family of Mr Knot. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband, father, and grandfather. I was a student of his when he taught at Calvin Christian high school. He was also my private teacher. He was one of the best directors I have ever known and was the reason that I stayed in band all four years and into my college days. May God bring you comfort during this very sad time.

— Kim Bashaw

To the Knot family, I just wanted send my condolences. Mr Knot was my high school band director and also my private tutor when he taught at Calvin Christian high school. He was such a wonderful person and one of the best directors I have ever met. He is the reason that I loved band so much and stuck with it thru high school and my first two years of college. May God comfort you during this time.

— Kim Bashaw

Dear Mr. Knot (Brian), I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I will never forget how he helped me prepare to play my flute at solo and ensemble! I really appreciated his kindness and outstanding musical ability and guidance. I will pray for you and your family!

— Morgan L

So sorry to hear about this Craig and Debbie! My deepest sympathy to you both. Love, Mary Beth

— Mary Beth Roossien

Dear Joan, Knot and Katje Families, Our deepest sympathy to all of you during this time of great loss. May you experience the love of God through the Christian community that reaches out to you in your time of need. With Christian love, Linda Krol Brinks

— Linda Krol Brinks

The world will be a little less kind and forgiving and funny without Uncle Les in it.

— Rick and Kathleen

My condolences to the family. Les was such a wonderful gentleman and I looked forward each summer at BLFAC to sharing beautiful west Michigan sunsets, pier walks, evening ice cream outings, and the beautiful calm that was SO Les!

— Shelley Schwaderer Roland

Les was such a wonderful man. I had wonderful experiences adjudicating with him and working with him as part of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. He was a great teacher. He had such a wonderful sense of humor. He showed me through his example how to have the strength to live through deep challenges that we encounter in life. Thank you, Les.

— Joan Bosserd-Schroeder

Your first day in Heaven meeting the Savior..awesome!

— Rick Sikkema '68.

We have fond memories of Les from Borculo Christian School. When I told the girls he was leaving, my kindergartner at that time said, "who is going to help me zip my coat?" What a guy! He will be dearly missed! Kevin, Carla, Jill and Amber

— Carla Schutte

We have fond memories of Les from Borculo Christian. I remember the day I told the girls that Mr. Knot was leaving, my Kindergartner at that time said, "who is going to help me zip my coat in the winter?" What a guy! He will be missed dearly. Kevin, Carla, Jill and Amber

— Carla Schutte

Les was a very calm, patient, and understanding person. He will be sorely missed.

— Iris Haynes

What a special man! We are so sorry for your loss. Many of us are so thankful for his life. He changed the world!

— Dave andNancy Bos

So sorry to hear Les has died. We became friends while I was teaching band at Hudsonville HS - what a great guy and a real gentleman. I lost my wife five years ago to cancer, I know in part what you are going through. May God's Grace sustain you all. DK Bennett

— DK Bennett

He was a good, kind, courteous, considerate and thoughtful friend. I served with him in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. Plus he had a healthy sense-of-humor. My kindest thoughts reach out to his family.

— Ken Feneley

Dear Joan, Brian and the rest of the Knot family, I wish to express that I will be praying for peace in your hearts knowing that Les was a man of God. I will also pray for endurance as you go through the transitions that you need to do now and in the days ahead. I loved to see Les at Unity serving the students with us. He will be missed dearly.

— Scott Wesseldyke

Dear Joan ,Brian, and family, les was a wonderful teacher to both Ginny and I. A colleague and friend to me for my entire career, and beautiful role model. We are so sorry for your loss. John and Ginny

— John and Ginny Swierenga

Dear Joan and family, Praying that you may all feel God’s loving arms around you at this very difficult time. Sincerely sent, Judy Oppenhuizen

— Judy Oppenhuizen

Our deepest sympathies to the entire Knot family during this difficult time. Les was such a special man of God, serving in so many ways and leading us all in how to be kingdom workers with a steadfast heart for the Lord. My prayers will be with you all in the coming weeks. In Christ, Tim Paauw Principal, Jenison Christian School

— Tim Paauw

Leave a Tribute

Share a message with the family

Order Flowers

Send Flowers for Lester

Honor Lester with a floral arrangement delivered through Love Knots Floral.

Designer’s Choice Grand Vase Arrangement

$100 + $15 Delivery Fee

Thinking of You Basket

$40 + $15 Delivery Fee

Stargazer Garden

$78 + $15 Delivery Fee

Stargazer Easel Spray

$150 + $15 Delivery Fee

Sincere Sympathy Garden

$55 + $15 Delivery Fee

Seasonal Potted Plant (mum, poinsettia, cyclamen, etc.)

$30 + $15 Delivery Fee

Remembrance Easel Spray

$175 + $15 Delivery Fee

Natures Glory

$55 + $15 Delivery Fee

Loving Embrace

$60 + $15 Delivery Fee

Gerbera Greetings

$50 + $15 Delivery Fee

Colorful Memories Wreath

$315 + $15 Delivery Fee

Classic Sympathy

$65 + $15 Delivery Fee

Blooming Duo

$60 + $15 Delivery Fee

Bells of Beauty

$130 + $15 Delivery Fee

Beautiful Memories

$175 + $15 Delivery Fee

Beautiful Blessings Wreath

$240 + $15 Delivery Fee

Floral arrangements provided by Love Knots Floral.