Anna “Louise” (Salyer) Knickerbocker passed away peacefully the morning of Friday, October 4, 2024.
Louise was born in Salyersville, Kentucky on October 18, 1936 to Forrest and Prudie Salyer. She graduated from Salyersville High School in 1953. Before she even graduated high school, Louise hitched a ride to Chelsea with her cousin and began working at Jiffy Mix in 1952. Louise went back to Salyersville to finish high school and returned to Jiffy Mix after her 18th birthday. Louise continued her work life at Jiffy Mix until she retired in 2005.
Louise met the love of her life, Ray Knickerbocker, and they married in 1957. Louise and Ray welcomed their daughter, Terri, in 1958, followed by their sons, Brian “Tim”, Brad, and Brett, and finally, their daughter, Heidi. Louise and Ray also helped raise their nephew, Joel Gregory “Greg” Howard, until he was 15 years old when Greg went to live with his father in Kentucky.
Louise’s humble upbringing in eastern Kentucky (Appalachia) formed the foundation of her strong work ethic and devotion to family, leaving her with little time for hobbies or relaxing. For many years, and just as she had been raised by her parents, Louise enjoyed the hard work of planting and nurturing the family garden. There, she would grow most every vegetable and always a year’s worth of corn and beans for freezing and tomatoes for canning. Louise was also a great cook and enjoyed serving up “Southern” cooking most of all.
Louise also loved sports! She received much joy from, and took great pride in, the sporting exploits of her children and grandkids. She was also a long-time Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers fan (through the good and, more often, the bad seasons). Most of all, Louise loved the Michigan Wolverines and the KentuckyWildcats. She even enjoyed supporting the MSU Spartans, but not when they were playing Michigan or Kentucky.
Most of all, Louise took great interest in the lives of her children and grandkids, never hesitating to lecture on the virtues of hard work, owning a home, and delayed gratification on the non-essentials. Louise never forgot her humble upbringing in Appalachia (Salyersville, Kentucky).
Louise is survived by and will be missed by her sisters, Donna Maynard and Bobbi Scott; her children, Terri Alcazar of Chelsea, MI, Brad and his wife, Suzanne Clauser, of Chelsea and Oakland Township, MI, Brett and his spouse, Raphael, of Miromar Lakes, FL, and Heidi Farris and her husband, Ryan, of Oakland Township, MI; grandchildren,Travis, Sarah, Grace, Carter, Gavin, Sophie, and Nolan; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.
Louise was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Ray, her siblings, Maude Chalfin and Forrest Salyer, Jr.; her son, Tim; her nieces, Vicki Chalfin and Sandy Knickerbocker, and her nephews, David Knickerbocker, Mark Scott, and Greg Howard.
Visitation is on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 North Main St., Chelsea, Michigan, as well as at the church on Thursday, October 10th, from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
A celebration of Louise’s life will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 14600 Old U.S. 12, Chelsea, Michigan 48118. An interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ, 14600 Old U.S. 12, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
