"Jim Nikirk, USCG (Ret) - I was Kim's 'boss' at CG Group Milwaukee and it was a pure joy to have her in the office every day., a ray of light which made MY day."
In loving memory of
Kim Charlene Godfrey-Knesebeck
November 15, 1957 - September 19, 2015
Kim was born on November 15, 1957 in Highland Park, Michigan to Charles and Jean Godfrey. She passed away the evening of September 19, 2015 in the presence of her family and friends at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington after a courageous battle against a rare form of cancer.
Kim grew up in Redford Township, Michigan with her Mom and Dad, her big sister, Donna and her little brother, Jay. She graduated from Redford Union High School in 1975.
After graduation, Kim chose to follow in the footsteps of her father and sister and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. She completed basic training at Cape May, New Jersey and graduated from Yeoman School in Petaluma, California. Kim was then stationed at the Coast Guard Recruiting Office in Detroit, followed by an assignment to Coast Guard Base Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In Milwaukee, Kim had the pleasure of throwing out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game in honor of Armed Forces Day. In 1979, Kim was transferred to the Ninth Coast Guard District Office in Cleveland, Ohio where she met and married Don Knesebeck, a fellow "coastie" assigned to the district staff.
The Knesebeck family expanded in July 1980, with the birth of their first child, Jeff. Following Jeff's arrival, Kim decided to leave the Coast Guard to focus on being "Mom" and to support Don as he continued his Coast Guard career. The family continued to grow with the arrival of Jeni on News Year Eve 1981 and Joshua in May of 1984. While they enjoyed living in Kodiak, Alaska and Cleveland, Ohio, the vast majority of their time together was spent in the Seattle area.
In 1990, Kim began her life with her "second family" when she was hired as a Health Unit Coordinator in the Emergency Department at Valley Medical Center in Renton. She continued in that role for 23 years, when she was forced to retire in 2013 due to declining health. She absolutely loved working at the Valley ER and dearly loved her co-workers. Apparently, the feeling was mutual, which was demonstrated by the outpouring of support and emotion that Kim and her family experienced, as Kim's visits to the emergency room became more frequent due to her progressing illness.
The family faced some significant challenges over the course of Don's Coast Guard career, including several long deployments during critical periods of the kids' lives. Despite those challenges, Kim provided the anchor for the family, maintaining the household and raising three teenagers, all while dealing with the challenges of working in the hectic tempo of the ER. Unfortunately, some of those stresses took a toll on their marriage, and Kim and Don chose to divorce in 2003 after nearly 25 years of marriage. Despite their separation Don and Kim remained close friends to the end.
During her time with the emergency department, Kim's family continued to grow with new relationships, marriages and the births of Kim's three grandchildren. She cherished all of the moments she spent with Kaci, Teagan and Kayden and they loved cuddling with "Grandma Kim". The tenderness they displayed toward Kim as she lost her health battle was nothing short of precious.
Kim is survived by her Mother, sister and brother; her children, Jeff Knesebeck, Jeni Woodman and her husband Richard; and, Joshua Knesebeck and his wife Nicole; her beloved grandchildren Kaci, Teagan and Kayden; and, Kaci's mother Tracy Chrnalogar. Kim would also want to give a special "shout out" to her dearest friends, Sandy Evans, Shelly Socci, and JoAnne Grant.
The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance - http://www.seattlecca.org/scca-make-a-donation.cfm or the Amyloidosis Foundation - http://www.amyloidosis.org
Tributes
"I was so saddened by my beautiful and brilliant niece's passing just as I was when I learned she was battling that terrible illness. I know she loved her Michigan family and loved to stay in touch, across the miles her love shown through. It was just too soon to say goodbye. I will miss her and never forget her. Aunt Honey "
"When I started work at Valley, Kim was my main trainer. She was so patient. Over the next couple of years, she was wonderful to work with and continued to teach me and was my friend. She was always there with a "Hi honey" and a hug. After I changed employment we lost touch, but just recently I found her on Facebook, just before she passed away. I just want to tell her family how sorry I am for their loss. She was a fabulous person. The world is a better place because of her. "
"Sorry to hear of Kims passing, she touched many lives and was admired by many, blessed be her memory."
"Someone asked me at work Tuesday what was a hallmark memory of Kim. I said that she knew everything, if Kim didn't know the answer to your question, then it probably didn't have an answer. I cared about her very much and am going to miss her visiting when she'd say "Hi honey" and give me a hug. If her grandchildren ever need to know about their grandma over the years, send them to the Valley folks, we can assure them of her never ending love for them and the genuine awesomeness of their grandma. "
"For always being my rock, the person I can tell anything and everything to, the person who stood beside me as I grew up and never left my side even when I made mistakes, my number one cheerleader through it all...I love you. I swear, watching Cinderella, Ice Castles or Dirty Dancing without you will never feel right again ;) I promise you, I will always tell stories of you to my daughter, so she will remember her Grandma and how much you loved her. I love you mom. Always and forever, your Bug. "