Loretta Mae Ouwerkerk, 88, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2022 in her home at Traverse Manor.

Loretta was born on December 25, 1933 in Northport, MI to the late Edwin and Shirley (Gill) Carlson. She married the late Michael E. Ouwerkerk on September 10, 1955 in Gills Pier, MI. Together they lovingly raised two daughters the late Pamela Brown and Michelle Moeggenberg.

Loretta graduated from Sparrow School of Nursing in Lansing and worked for over 30 years as a registered nurse. She touched many lives through her work with Dr. Don Fraser, as a clinical instructor at Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital, and also at the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Loretta was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church for many years.


In her leisure time she enjoyed traveling, reading, and crossword puzzles. She especially loved to spend time with her family. She was a strong and intelligent woman with an unforgettable smile. Loretta will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Loretta is survived by her daughter Michelle (Tim) Moeggenberg, her son-in-law David Brown,
4 grandchildren, Kara(David) Classens, Ashley Moeggenberg(Bryan Flory), Dane(Ingrid) Moeggenberg, and Jessica Everett, 7 great grandchildren Beau, Greta and
Marcella Classens, Domenico, Luciano and Vincenzo Fortuna, and Ryan Brown, and also 4 nieces.


Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm with a rosary, led by her great-granddaughters, prayed at 6:30pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Monday September 26, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Church with a visitation beginning at 9am . Loretta will be laid to rest at Oakwood Catholic Cemetery with her beloved husband Mike. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan or St. Francis Catholic Church. The family would like to thank the staff at Traverse Manor and Hospice of Michigan for the loving care they provided. Loretta's family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.