Arlene Gayle (Maki) Knopp, 83, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away with family by her side, Friday, June 30, 2017 at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, MN. She was born October 2, 1933 at home in Swan River, MN to George and Senia (Ranta) Maki. She graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1951. She married Viljo "Mike" Bjorkquist on May 16, 1952 and together they had 5 children. Later Arlene married Hans Knopp on August 24, 1997. Arlene was very proud of her 52 years of sobriety and her years working as a chemical dependency counselor at Northland Mental Health. She attended Itasca Community College. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church. Arlene loved spending time with her family, playing Scrabble, volunteering at Kylar Glen Hospice House, traveling and stayed very active by golfing, cross country skiing, and exercising daily. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans Knopp in 2011; and parents. Arlene is survived and will be lovingly remembered by her children, Michelle Morris of St. Paul, MN, Vickie (Mark) Herman of Jacobson, MN, Jon (Meredith) Bjorkquist of Crosslake, MN, Shari (Chip) Bjorkquist Rich of Evergreen, CO, Gayla (Jonathan) Bone of Mora, MN, stepson Chris (Mary) Knopp of Camino, California; sisters, Doris (Bill) Jamsa of Grand Rapids, MN, Shirley (Harold) Thompson of Grand Rapids, MN; brothers, David (Judy) Maki of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Duane (Mary) Maki of Hibbing, MN; 12 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; and her special dog, "Buddy".