Marjorie Jean Krakker

Marjorie Jean Krakker passed away at Traverse City’s Munson Medical Center on Monday, August 19th, 2019. She was born on the family farm in Hadley, Michigan, on Aug 23rd, 1926, to the late Charles Edward and Gladys E. (Watts) Sutherland. Education was always important to Marge, so after graduating from Hadley High School she went on to Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University), earning a teaching degree. She taught in the primary grades in Chelsea, Michigan, and at Estabrook and Willow Run schools in Ypsilanti. Eventually she earned a Masters Degree in education and became a reading specialist at Willow Run. After over 30 years of teaching, she retired in 1982. While in college she met Alfred Bennett Gregory and they married at the Hadley Community Church on July 23rd, 1949. One son, Kenneth Lee, was born to the couple. Al died in 1968 and on July 29th, 1972 she married Thomas P. Krakker at the First Baptist Church in Ypsilanti. This union added 3 step-sons; Tom, Jr., Jim and Steve to the family. Marge loved traveling and socializing with friends and family. She belonged to the First Baptist Church in Ypsilanti for over 70 years and contributed to their fellowship in many ways. She also generously volunteered in the community. At home, her garden was her pride and joy. Family was of utmost importance to Marge and she was a loving sister to her 5 siblings. She was preceded in death by her parents, spouses, 2 sisters, Doris Sutherland and Ruth Umpstead, 2 sisters-in-law, Lola and Dorcas Sutherland, 1 brother, Harold Sutherland, 1 brother-in-law, Lee Umpstead, her step-son, Steven, 2 nephews,1 niece and 1 great-granddaughter. She is survived by her son, Ken (Patsy) Gregory, 2 brothers, Lee (Jean) and Ray Sutherland, her step-sons, Tom and Jim Krakker, granddaughters, Brittany, Paige, Caitlin (Damian Nelson) Gregory, Erika (Michael) Krakker-Goodwin and Becca (Saun) Riley, 4 great-granddaughters plus many nieces and nephews. A service will be held for her in Ypsilanti at First Baptist Church on Sept 29th, 2019 at 1:30 pm. A luncheon will be held one hour prior You may direct any memorial contributions to the church at 1110 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti, Mi., 48197 Interment will follow at Arbor Crest Cemetery in Ann Arbor at a later date. The family is being cared for by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Marjorie Jean Krakker

August 23, 1926 - August 19, 2019