Keith Joy Knudsen

Born on November 22, 1972, in Hawaii, Keith was the beloved son of Derek Knudsen and Shiree Moreland. His father, a sailor, passed along not only a love for the water but also an adventurous spirit that Keith carried with him throughout his life. Keith spent his formative years in South Bend, Indiana, where his journey truly developed under the home of his mom and step-dad Jim Moreland. Keith spent his summers exploring Puget Sound with his dad. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Keith moved to Fort Wayne and worked for Logikos. It was there, while working at the same company, that he met his soulmate, Tracy.

In the early years of their relationship, Tracy and Keith moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where Keith completed his Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University. Tracy and Keith welcomed two sons while in Pittsburgh and then decided to move closer to family in 2004, when Keith accepted a job in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Once in Michigan, they completed their family with the birth of their third son. Life was filled with laughter, partnership, and fun family times. Keith was a devoted husband and nurturing father, kind son and amazing son-in-law, even going so far as to welcome his father-in-law into his house to live with the family. He showed boundless love and patience every day.

Keith will be remembered as a generous and creative soul, always ready with a warm smile and helping hand. He had a gift for cooking and found joy in preparing meals for his loved ones. Whether it was coaching his children’s soccer teams, playing volleyball, organizing family game nights, renting a ski-doo or paddleboard while on the family vacation, kayaking down a tree-laden river, being the life of the party, or solving puzzles of any kind, Keith approached life with curiosity, intuition, and joy.

He had a rare gift for making others feel seen, supported, and encouraged. His adventurous spirit, kind heart, and endless willingness to try new things left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Keith is survived by his wife of 25 years, Tracy; their three sons: Scott (23), Soren (21), and Joseph (18); his mother, Shiree Moreland (Daniel Nava); and brother, Kirk Knudsen (Lisa). Stepsister Mindy Gradeless (Yancy) and stepbrother Jimmy Moreland (Whitney); sisters-in-law Anne Wade (David) and Amy Tetzlaff (Tom Szanto). Multiple nephews and nieces including Jesse Wade, Aaron Wade, Lucas Wade, Nazanin Szanto, Jeremy Szanto (Camille), Iris Szanto, Cody Packer, Jessica Spratlin (John), Gabriel Tippy, Samara Knudsen, and Silas Knudsen. Great-nephews Greyson Spratlin and Ky Szanto.

He was preceded in death by his father, Derek Knudsen; step-father, Jim Moreland; mother-in-law, Nancy Tetzlaff; and grandparents Rolland and Helen Thorpe.

A visitation for Keith will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 South Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. A church visitation will occur Friday, May 9, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, 120 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. A funeral service will immediately follow at First United Methodist Church. Keith will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at a later date.

Limited free parking is available in the small lot next to the church. However, as the church is located in a busy downtown area, additional parking may require payment at nearby metered street spots or in the parking structure located directly across from the church. We encourage guests to plan accordingly.

In honor of Keith, we encourage you to cook a favorite meal, hug your people, tell others you love them, solve a puzzle, or simply lend a hand to someone in need—just as he would have done.

Memorial donations in Keith’s honor may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI of Washtenaw County, https://namiwc.org/, or First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor Youth Ministry, Service Trip Funds, https://www.fumc-a2.org/give/