CHRISTMAS

Christmas is almost here and for our family it will be so different this year and the years to come.  There are many things that I will miss this year.  While I am sad about this, I rejoice that dad is celebrating his happiest Christmas ever with Christ face to face!  I wanted to share some of the things that I will miss the most this year, but I want to share them with gratitude for the memories left to us rather than in sorrow.

As Chad (I believe) posted earlier, dad liked to sing.  I will miss his rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Stinkin' Christmas" (see Chad's previous post for lyrics), Let It Snow, and his most favorite song ever.....Let It Be Christmas by Alan Jackson.  He would literally play this song on repeat.  I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say this song would be stuck in all of our heads each Christmas.

Let It Be Christmas by Alan Jackson

 

 

I will miss my last minute phone call.  Each year, about 2 days before Christmas, dad would call and say, "What did you get mom for Christmas?"  He would then shoot down every idea I gave him for her as "she won't like that" or "that's not good enough".  When we finally came up with something, he would make sure to let me know to "get the best one".  I guess he knows I like to look for a good deal and he prefers quality!  We never did find the "perfect" robe for mom though.

 

 

I will miss his quiet presence at the Christmas parties.  He somehow always managed to find a good corner to sit in.  He never wanted to be the center of attention, but you couldn't help but feel his presence.  Once the grand kids started arriving, he would always be holding one of them in his arms.  I believe there were two reasons for this.  1) He REALLY loved holding his grand kids and 2) They were a REALLY good way to avoid having to participate in any sort of holiday games!

 



Holding Jordyn at the Kleinheksel party

 

I will miss the infamous pictures of dad posing with his present.  His face hidden behind the present as he holds it up.  He was an expert at avoiding a picture.  I will miss him complaining about the yearly family picture and how long it takes us all to get situated.  Did I mention, he loves pictures?

 

More than anything though, I am going to miss giving him his traditional present of Chocolate Covered Cherries.  I couldn't go a Christmas without giving him these.  They were his favorite and mine.  I think I ate the top layer of his present most years and left the bottom for him.  Never thought walking past Chocolate Covered Cherries in a store would bring tears to my eyes.

 

 

Christmas 2011 video:

 

 

 

Thanks for the special memories!

 

 

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:1-3



Ball of Saran Wrap

I recently had to start wearing uniforms for work, and the other day I was removing my freshly cleaned uniforms from the Saran wrap packaging that they are returned to me in so that I could put them away in my dresser.  Suddenly, I remembered how dad used to roll the saran wrap up from his uniforms into a tight ball and chuck it at us kids.  Whoever was in the area at the time of dad unpacking his uniforms was the target and there was no mercy.  I remember getting beaned in various body parts including the head and the gut; if you were lucky you would have time to react and block the shot, but that rarely was the case. 

Anyway, I decided I would carry this grand tradition on so I rolled my saran wrap up into a nice ball just like dad would and chucked it at my unsuspecting daughter, Rogue.  I missed and nearly hit my wife.  Needless to say, I got yelled at by the wife and told that I could hurt somebody, but don't think I won't try it again.  Eventually I will hit my target and if someone gets a little hurt, well I'll just say what my dad used to say, "it builds character". 

Village Dipper Knight in Shining Armour

One sunny day this past summer, early on in Rick's battle, I took a bus full of senior residents to the Village Dipper for one of their favorite outings...ICE CREAM! Bus was full to capacity. I let the more able bodied residents off first so that I could assist the weaker ones. One of our residents fell on the bus while getting off, little did I know that one also had fallen off the picnic table bench 500 yards away.

Here I am, one person, needing to be in two places...luckily, Rick, happened to be sitting  having his hot dog dinner close to by where the 2nd resident needed assistance. Once again my knight in shining armour, Rick Kraker, came to my rescue. He picked up one resident while I was picking up the other. Rick has been there for me for so many hiccups over the 15 years I've been honored knowing him and his family. And even during his weakest days, he once again came to my rescue. You are missed Smiling Rick Kraker....and I know you laughed at my jokes when I wasn't around, I just know it. You will always be my hero. One more thing, thank you Rick for your wonderful family. I consider you all forever and ever family. Love you Paula

My 9 year old nephew Jacob is deaf. For the last few years my sister (Jacob's mom) has encouraged our family to learn sign language to be able to communicate with him. I made a couple of attempts, but it just seemed like I was always too busy. I thought about taking a class, thinking the accountability involved in taking a class might help, but didn't know of any being offered in our area. Meanwhile, I tried to communicate with Jake the best that I could. I would point, gesture, etc. Still, there was so much I wanted to say to him.

Then a class was offered at Hope College, and my sister told me about it. I was both excited and scared at the same time. It was at this time that Rick passed away. I was busy with the funeral, but the deadline for signing up for the class was also about that time. As I thought about both, it dawned on me that Rick was someone who helped others as a deacon and as a Christian. It inspired me to signup for the class, because it was one thing I could do to help Jake know that someone else cared for him enough to start learning his language.

At the last class, Jacob made a special trip to be there. He signed a "thank you" to me. It was a great joy to have him say that. Since then, we've been able to talk more. It takes me longer to understand what he is saying than it takes for him to understand me. The other night my mom was going to drop me off to where my car was parked and Jacob said to me "there it is" but it took me about a block to figure out what he said. Still, I feel like I am starting down a good road with my good buddy Jake, and I don't know if that would have happened if I hadn't connected Rick's love for helping others with the challenge that was before me at the time.

Thanks Rick,

Pastor Steve

From Larry Kleinheksel

I have a lot of memories of Rick, here are a few . He was the strongest guy that I have ever seen, he would help anyone when needed, he never wanted his picture taken, he loved to hunt and fish, he loved his family and here is a memory I will never forget.

In August of 2012 my dad needed some help with putting a walkway on his boat lift at Silver Lake. He said that Rick had it all planned out and he had bought the wood and screws needed to do the job. Rick would also be there to supervise the job. I thought this would be an easy little job that would take an hour or so. (Boy was I wrong)

I was told that Rick would have all the tools and Carla would also be there to help if needed. I believe it was a Saturday morning when we all were ready to go, Rick told me to just carry his tool holder to the dock. Well that was just great, Rick’s tool holder weighs about 150 pounds which was a piece of cake for Rick, but for a 64 year old guy with a bad back it was pure torture. I did get it to the dock and we got all the supplies there also. Carla got Rick a lawn chair to sit on while he barked out the orders!!

This was a new side of Rick that I have never seen before, you see usually we had Rick do the work but now it was me, Dad and Carla in the water with Rick as our supervisor and I believe Rick loved it!!

First we had to rip a 2 by 10 length wise with a circular saw that Rick provided, ( I swore he put a dull blade on it on purpose) We spent the next 2 hours ripping the boards with a constant barking Rick telling us that he could of done it in 10 minutes. ( Maybe he could of , but the board was water logged and we had a very dull blade put on by Rick) Next we had to attach the boards to the lift with self-tapping screws that Rick said would be a piece of cake!! After another two hours and Ricking barking out orders we did finish the job. I can remember telling Dad let’s just put in 3 screws instead of the four Rick wanted. I remember dropping one in the water and telling my Dad that’s one less we need to do!! Rick barked out to me,” Larry fish that screw off the bottom of the lake” we don’t cut corners when I am in charge. Yes sir, I will do it your way!!

We had a lot of fun that day, and guess who took the 150 pound tool holder back to the truck, Not wimpy Larry but my sister Carla!!

Love you Rick

I miss you!!

Lar

The Only "Real" Pizza

I had a craving for some pizza tonight and Tiffany surprised me with the only pizza that Dad was willing to actually call pizza. Classic J's again square cut pepperoni with green olives. Don't forget the side of fried cauliflower and ranch.

You had better expect Dad to ask where the pizza was after showing up with Pizza Hut or anything else that wasn't J's again. He would eat the other pizza and probably sometimes un-admittedly liked it, but in his eyes the only thing worthy of the title pizza was J's Again. I think he might be right...

Boot Prints

I was reading a book by Steve Chapman tonight that dad used to own, and the chapter I was reading was about how when Steve was a little boy he used to step in his dads foot prints that were left in the snow while following him to avoid getting snow in his own shoes.  It reminded me that I used to do this as well while following dad.  I don’t know if it was to keep the snow out of my shoes or just because it was a fun game to play, but I remember doing this when I was a child.  Anyway, Steve goes on to say that he was filled with joy knowing that he had been fortunate enough to have had a father who provided a good set of bootprints to follow through time.  Looking back at the tracks that Steve’s dad had left him through the years made him realize that they were responsible for leading him to know Christ, the best of all destinations.  Also, his dad’s steps guided him to a belief that things like a good name, honesty, and integrity are far more valuable than gold or silver. 

While reading this chapter, I couldn’t help but feel that Steve and I have learned a shared lesson from our fathers, and like Steve, I am confident that if I continue to put my feet where my dad put his, the tracks will lead me to heaven, and I pray that if my children choose to follow in my tracks through their lives that those tracks may lead them to Jesus. 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord (Psalms 37:23)

Black Turkey Dinner

With all the talk about turkeys a memory came to me about the time we decided to deep fry a turkey.  I believe it was on Easter and my whole family was coming over.  I got everything ready and put Rick in charge of dipping the turkey and timing it.   When there was only a few minutes left for it to cook  we gathered around our kitchen table.  We were all sitting there just anxiously awaiting the arrival of the turkey.  A few minutes later Rick walked in with a very black turkey on a pan.  I'll never forget the look on his face. I think he was sort of smiling and I even think he thought it was funny.  At first everyone was quiet but soon we all broke out into laughter.  At first my heart sank, wondering what we would do for meat, but soon I was laughing also.  We decided to peel off the black skin and see how the meat was.  To our surprise, the meat was juicy and tender.  Later we were told that you have to use peanut oil not Wesson oil to fry the turkey. Oh well, all turned out OK and it is a good memory. Carla

Rick Could Fix Anything

As a son in law, we liked Rick very much and got along with him good.  Once, when Rick and Carla were visiting here, I mentioned that my dishwasher wasn't working.  Immediately Rick was on his hands and knees and fixed it within minutes.  One of the things I will always remember about Rick is that he could fix anything!   We miss him.  Mom and Dad Kleinheksel

Christmas

This post goes along with the other post about songs that Dad used to sing,  the holidays are here and I know we all remember the infamous "Let it be Christmas"  song from Alan Jackson.  I'm really hoping there is at least one other person who remembers  Dads version of  Have yourselves a merry little Christmas.......

Have Yourself a Merry Stinkin Christmas,  Let the Yule Log Fly.

Anyone???

Driver's Training

I had just received my learner's permit.  We had the maroon Astro mini-van at the time.  I can remember how excited I was to drive with dad and show him my awesome driving skills.  Dad, of course, was not going to make it easy on me.  He faked being jumpy and scared most of the time (or maybe he really wasn't faking it...who knows).

I remember pulling up to the 4 way stop at 96th & Ottogan.  As I came to a stop, dad flung himself forward, knocking his head on the windshield.  He never missed a beat when he gathered himself and turned to me and said, "Oh, it's okay Tam.  You'll get better."

Next, as I turned the corner, he actually leaned over and fell out of his seat and onto the floor between the two front seats.  He again gathered himself up, turned to me and calmly said, "It's okay Tam.  I'm ok.  Keep working on it."

I don't know if dad did this to the boys when they had their learner's permit or if it was just me.  Of course, he probably didn't have to pretend to be scared with the boys (Bryan), since I do remember following Bry and dad after Bryan first got his permit.  It was at the same stop sign.  First, Bryan waved every single car at the 4 way stop thru before he would finally go (I can only imagine dad's patience being tested there).  Then, when he finally proceeded to go, the Jeep screeched and jerked and jumped a bunch of times and then I truly believe it actually popped a wheelie right there in the intersection.  Mom and I laughed so hard.  If dad fell out of the seat on that one, it wasn't fake!

Anyway, I can't wait to embarrass my kids this way some day!!

Memories of South Dakota with Barb and Gary Peters

As you ALL know - Rick loved to hunt, and what better place to hunt than the prairies of South Dakota. Rick and Carla came along with Ken and Sally Krueze for their first trip in 2008. Oh what a grand time we all had. The pheasant hunting wasn't the greatest because we didn't have a dog at that time --- but, as you can see in the photos, they were successful and very happy. I do believe we ate pheasant and it was delicious. Seeing as how we live on a cattle ranch - you can't leave South Dakota without helping move cattle. Rick and Gary and Ken moved the cattle on 4 wheelers and the girls road along behind in the truck.

We also have a neighbor who raises pheasants and has a game preserve. The men (Rick, Ken and Gary and other neighbors)went and helped move and catch about 500 pheasants. They first have to have the blinders removed and then they are put in the boxes for transporting.

We filled out days as full as we could - watching for deer, calling coyotes, hunting prairie dogs, moving cattle, playing games, and of course, eating. I learned that, Rick doesn't like corn dogs. Rick and Carla became special friends even though we were miles apart - Michigan and South Dakota.

The second time they came was in 2010 and Rick's cancer had arrived. Rick was not a quitter --- we still hunted and played and laughed and worked. This time - along with the hunting - the guys worked on Gary's workshop. Rick helped put in an entrance door.

Ricks sense of humor was wonderful. And we know that just might be one of the things his family misses most. We feel it a wonderful privilege to have gotten to know a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Gary and Barb Peters

DUMONT

I remember heading out to Dumont Lake on Friday evenings (a lot of times with Jim and Corla Kraker and their family).  I have such good memories of tubing, skiing, knee-boarding, etc.  Although, thinking back, I'm not so sure how the memories are so good.

It would seem that our weekly trip would often start out with a short pit stop along the side of the road as we would wait for the Jeep to cool down.  I remember packing gallons of water along for, I believe, the purpose of cooling the Jeep.

I remember many times the boat not starting....

....who forgot the ski ropes.....

.....why is the plug not in the boat?.......

I also remember dad's main goal of pulling us on the tubes was to see if he could get us to fall off (or kill us maybe).  Seriously?!?!  I would have thought he would have at least been gentle on his only daughter, but nope.  I remember a time, being in the boat with him, that  he was so frustrated that Bryan and Mike Becksvoort had figured out a way to balance so well on the tube that he could not get them off.  He said, "Watch this!"  as he proceeded to pull them through a bunch of reeds.  I could hear the reeds whipping their bare backs from in the boat.  Dad even cringed and I think actually regretted that move.

Most of all though, I remember just being in awe of dad as he would slalom ski.  He would hop start from about knee deep in the water, he would yell "Hit It", then he would disappear under the water with a big wake surrounding him for what seemed like forever and suddenly he would emerge.  I remember he could slalom so well.  One time he told me that he could lay so low that his thumb would hit the water.   I don't know if that was true or not, but I certainly remember the massive shield of water that he would disappear behind as he skied around the lake.  I would just watch in awe and amazement, so proud that he was my dad.........and then of course...the infamous soaking!  If you were driving the boat, you knew that you HAD BETTER drop him off close enough to saturate someone with that shield of water.  I always enjoyed watching to see who his victim would be!

I never quite understood it...but dad sure did love that old boat (even though he also hated it), haha!

ATribute to Rick

I've been praying lately for some words from God about Rick. Maybe just because I miss him or maybe I  just needed something from God to comfort me. He has sent the rainbow a number of times since that camping morning and I thank him over and over for his faithfulness of his promise to us but seems like I needed to hear from him. Then this morning someone dear to me sent me these words that God spoke to her. I knew right away that this was from God and found them so comforting that I want to share them with all. God speaks to us in so many different ways, just take the time to listen.

Soft spoken and quiet

Yet when he spoke it was profound.

Seldom a smile did we see

Yet he always brought a smile to others.

Hard worker and tough

Yet so gentle with his grandkids.

Never tolerated laziness

Yet always had time for some fun.

Didn't like to say I love you or give a hug

Yet no one ever doubted his love.

We prayed for a healing here on earth

Yet God knew best and gave him a perfect healing.

He fought a good fight

Yet God said, 'Come home, my son'.

A loving husband, father, and friend to many

Sadly missed by us all.

Fun in the pool...

Bryan's post about sledding got me thinking about some of the fun things he did with us as kids. I remember trying to get him in the swimming pool what seemed like every night in the summer. I am sure he just wanted to lay down after a hard days work but we didn't let that happen. He made the best waves and whirlpools after all! Plus I think I had less of a chance of getting drowned by Chad and Bryan if he was out there.

I remember the time, years ago, when our families were camping at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds. We must have all been in elementary school or younger. During a worship service at the campground, the pastor invited all the kids forward for a children’s message. The pastor had a single prop, a plastic laundry basket. He invited one kid to enter the basket and try to lift himself, from within the basket, off the ground. The kid obviously couldn’t lift himself into the air. The pastor then looked at the rest of us and asked if any of us believed we could succeed in lifting ourselves off the ground. Bryan responded with an enthusiastic “My dad could do it!” As the congregation laughed, the Pastor replied, “Oh, yeah? You think your dad could lift himself in the basket?” “Absolutely, my dad is so strong he could lift this entire church” came Bryan’s reply. “Really? And where is your dad?” the Pastor asked while scanning the laughing crowd, seeing if anyone would actually dare admit to being this almighty parent. I looked straight to Rick, wondering how he would respond. I still laugh thinking about what I saw. Rick, sitting in his comfortable style, arms across his chest. Then, that smile. The smile I’ve only seen Rick give. I’m lost for words that would adequately portray that smile. It’s almost as though it’s a smile thats actually an attempt to hold back a full out laugh. It was the smile of a man who was proud of his children and that was uncomfortable with the idea of being the center of attention. I like this image because I think it’s fitting. Rick loved life and loved his family. It was apparent to everyone that he enjoyed his life. Yet, Rick didn’t need to be in the center. He didn’t need everyone’s eyes on him. He would rather sit back and enjoy his family. I respect that.

I also just want to let you know that we are continuing to pray for you and your family.

Grace,

Jeremy

Florida '08

Dad loved our trips to Florida, although it took a lot for him to admitt it.  I remember this particular year Katy, Rogue, and I drove down with mom and dad.  Rogue was just a baby, and even though she was really good, there were times where I thought dad was going to snap.  Heck, I thought I was going to snap.  We had to listen to the Elmo Movie all the way there and back.  In the end, nobody lost their temper and the trip was another great memory. 

 

Snowmobiling

I can't believe it took me this long to post this memory because some of my best memories are the times dad would hook sleds up to the snowmobiles and pull us around the house.  I think the lawn mower dump post reminded me of it.

In the winter, us kids could not wait until dad got home so he could pull us around on the sleds.  We would hook up one or two sleds to the back and dad would drive around trying to make us fall off, and he would never stop the snowmobile.  We would have to try and jump on the sled while it was still moving.  I personally loved it.  I remember going for hours at a time. 

Lawnmower Dump

Dad sure did LOVE mowing the lawn.  He liked it done just right.  He didn't like the circles that I mowed in, that's for sure.

When we were young, I can remember him pulling us behind the lawnmower in his red wagon while he mowed the lawn.  We would have so much fun riding in that thing, making up games to play and jumping out and then hopping back in again.

Then....when we were riding nicely; when we were least expecting it.....DUMP!!  Dad would pull the pin out of the wagon and dump us all out.  I'm not sure if we thought it was funny, but dad sure did get a kick out of it!

That Special Touch 2

This picture was taken on Sunday, during the camping trip. We were all starting to say good bye, so I put Enzlee in front of Dad just so he could see her. To my surprise, he quickly lifted his arms and grabbed her. (I hadn't seen him do that in a long time, as he was very weak). He took her and gave her a big hug and said " You are so warm, I think I'm going to hold on to you forever." Almost made me cry.

Grand Dogs

That Special Touch

He just had a way.....his grandkids would sit in his arms forever....and he could always calm them down and get them to sleep in his arms.

Katrina (New Orleans)

Dad, mom, Jer & I went to New Orleans in 2007 to help out in the Katrina aftermath.  I remember them giving dad a chain saw when they heard he had "experience".  I don't think they realized what sort of experience he actually had.  Everyone that worked with dad that day could do nothing but brag and be amazed.  I can't tell you how times I heard, "You should have seen that guy with a chain saw.  It was amazing!  He cut down tree after tree in record time!"

I think dad's only complaint about that entire trip was that they didn't work him hard enough!  Nope....he didn't even complain about walking around down Bourbon Street with all the crazies or about carrying a full grown man, Danny, around on his back down Bourbon Street!

It's not a great picture, but here's dad hard at work in New Orleans.

Tough Guy

Dads handyman knowledge still blows my mind to this day.  How one man could know so much about everything is beyond my understanding.  Because I loved having this knowledge onhand, I always made sure dad was present while I had a project going on.

Not only was dad smart but he was one tough guy.  He could lift twice as many boards as me, do twice as much work as me, and endure 100 times more pain than me.  I remember a time, while building my house, dad was nailing walls together with the air nailer.  A 16 penny, framing nail blew through the wood and into his hand.  He never even flinched.  He finished putting the wall together and then went to take care of it only because he was bleeding everywhere.  Then he went back to building another wall.  That is one tough dude.

I never was able to take him in arm wrestling either. 

Warf

I need to give a little background on Warf.  Dad used to love Star Trek.  If Star Trek was on TV and dad was home, you were watching it whether you liked it or not.  Anyway, his favorite character on the show was a clingon named Warf.  He was one tough dude. 

So anything that dad thought was tough was named after Warf.  He used to have a Makita work light that he would call the Warf light.  He would also refer to his jeep as the Warf mobile.  I remember he used to pat the dash and give the Warf mobile praises after it did something tough like pull a car out of the ditch or get unstuck from a snow pile.  I remember one time I gave the dash a pat and dad looked at me said, "not to hard".   He would always make funny little comments like that. 

I took a lot of stock in what dad thought was tough equipment.  I started copying all purchases that he would consider tough.  For example, I got a jeep CJ5 when I was sixteen, my first chainsaw was a husqvarna, and my lawn mower was the same exact brand as his.  I had faith that if he thought highly of a product, it must be quality.  His oppinion never failed me. 

Crash!

Jer & I were riding around on the golf cart at Jim & Rhonda's cottage today.  The golf cart reminded me of the one at Sandy Pines that we had to push up hills because it was so weak!  I started telling Jer about some of our awesome adventures on that dumb golf cart.

I started on about pushing it up hills, getting lost, and then about the time when Bryan, Chad & I were on it and the thing started on fire!!

Anyway, it led me to the memory of dad on the golf cart.  I wasn't with him, so if any of you were, then maybe you can elaborate for us.  I remember that dad was driving along on the golf cart and suddenly the steering wheel fell off, causing dad to lose control and hit a tree.  I can just picture his reaction.  It must have been priceless!!!

Darn Nice!

Lets not forget all of the projects dad has helped us with over the years. From minor home improvements to entire homes! He was the jack of all trade for sure. His knowledge paired with the van that had everything was unstoppable if you needed something fixed right.

Dad took pride in his work. Almost every project he helped with ended with him standing and staring at it for 10 minutes at minimum saying "That looks darn nice!"

Generation to Generation

Many of dads sayings and actions have already been carried on to the next generation.  Examples:

When we were kids and would run around in our underwear or naked, dad would make a squeeling type sound - Yeeeeeeeh!   I know Andrew does this with his kids and I also do on occassion.

We used to stand on dads hands while he would lay on his back, then he would raise his feet and we would grab them with our hands and he would flip us through the air.  I love to do this with my kids and they love it too.

And who could forget the claw?  It was so scary but still so fun.  Dad would chase us around and once he caught us he would pin us down and proceed to tickle us with the claw (his hand).  This one is my personal favorite with my kids.

I have to admitt that this example is not a memory of good times, but it is a memory and it is something I picked up from dad so I'm going to list it.  Oh, and it is rated PG-13 so read with caution.  If we were goofing around like kids do, and it resulted in getting hurt or breaking something, dad would sigh and say under his breath "dicking around".  Katy loves that I picked this saying up (sarcasm).

Another saying that Katy loves (again sarcasm) that I still use comes from a story when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade.  I had gotten hurt on the play ground and tore my pants.  My dad came to school to bring me a new pair.  I remember him walking in with the pants.  I was crying (not sure if it was because I had a bleeding scrape on my knee or if it was because my pants were ruined) and dad handed me a new pair of pants and said in the most caring voice (not sarcasm), "theres nothing to cry about; it's too far from your heart to hurt".  Believe or not but that those words actually worked, and it has stuck with me since then.  It seems a little insensitive but the way he said it didn't come off as mean at all.  It just really made sense. 

I'm sure there are plenty other one liners out there that dad is known for.  He wasn't a man of many words, but the things he did say were direct and made sense. 

On the Boat

!SNAKE!

I remember getting a call from Dad one evening,  he sounded a bit frantic which was out of  character.   It was the night he was driving home on 50th and noticed something moving on the seat next to him.  A HUGE black snake!!!  He was in the "One Ton" wood truck, and apparently had pick up more than lumber that night.  I couldn't stop laughing when I got to where he was, the truck was hardly even off the road and both doors were wide open.  It took him a good 20 minutes of looking before he dared climb back in to finish the ride home.   We never did find out where the snake went.

Heaven

As I was tucking Jace in tonight, I asked him, "What do you think about grandpa in heaven, buddy?"

Jace's answer:  "I think he is so, so, so happy because he is doing nice things and he is not doing any naughty things.  He is so, so happy because I think he is playing and I think he is close with God."

(Not spoken that clearly of course!)

I think Jace is right!

Burt Lake Duck

There are plenty of memories from our camping trips at burt lake.  These walleye fishing trips would usually include my dad, mom, Chad, and me.  Chad and I were around six years old at the time.  One event in particular stands out in my head.

The campground we stayed at had boat slips so you could leave your boat in the water.  We had our poles hanging out the back of the boat and one of them still had a worm on the hook.  We went to the motorhome for lunch and when we came back to the boat we found that one of the pulls was out of place and missing its lure.  Well it turns out a duck thought it looked like a good treat and he ate it up, hook and all.  The hooks actually got caught on his wing and and his bill causing his head to be stuck to his wing.  Anyway, I can still remember dad chasing that duck around the camp ground trying to catch him so he could unhook him. 

Dad was a real animal lover.  Just kidding, I think he was more concerned with getting his lure back. 

Grandpa

Dad was a great father and grandfather for sure! The grandkids would always flock to him the minute they got to grandma and grandpas house.

I remember the day Kenlie was born I called mom and dad and both of them were at the hospital probably within 15-20 minutes. They were still cleaning up the room and a nurse came in and said they were waiting outside for about 15 minutes already. Watching him hold her and Audyn at the hospital are a couple of my proudest moments.

He would have done anything for his grandkids. It was funny to see how much of a softy he became as they were being born!

Today Is Your Birthday!

I have a lot of memories of dad singing...not full songs but little pieces of songs, over and over and over again!  A few that I remember are:

"Davey, Davey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier"

"We are the 7 friendly giants"  (that still runs through my head sometimes)

"Jeremiah was a bull frog, was a good friend of mine"

Can't forget his favorite, Alan Jackson, "Let it be Christmas"

The one that I'll certainly NEVER forget  -- Each year on my birthday, I would wake up to dad singing The Beatles...."Today is your birthday, bada bada bada ba bum!!  It's my birthday too!"  He would sing it ALL day long, over and over.  I would even get phone calls.  I'm gonna miss that song!

I'm sure there are plenty other little tunes he sang.  Feel free to add your favorites!

CANADA

 DAD in CANADA!!!!
My favorite memories of Dad will always be the annual Canadian fishing trip.  He would almost always be the first one on the lake in the morning and the last one off at night.   I'm not exactly sure how many consecutive years he took that 20+ hour trip up to Lake Elva, but it was always worth the drive.  Speaking of "the drive"  how many hours did he spend behind the wheel of that motorhome? 

What a Boone!

This may just be an outdated tv theme song to a lot of people, but it makes me smile every time I hear the line "What a Boone what a doer what a dream come-er true-er was he!" Dad always sang when he was happy, (as long as it was only his kids that were around) I only ever remember him singing that one line, but it was a good indicator that he was in a good mood!

Who Wants a Ride?

Dad used to love to take the grandkids on rides, whether it was the snowmobile, the golfcart, or even the lawn mower.  The kids became instantly hooked, and dad even recieved the name "grandpa wheels" by Elijah. 

Dedication Video

Dykstra Funeral Home

Memories and Thoughts from the Dykstra Funeral Home web site: http://www.lifestorynet.com/memories/83219

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Herb Kraker
September 16^th 2012

There are countless memories of cousin Rick. Having grown up right next door and the 80 acre farm/woods that was shared produced many. Different huts in the woods, their geese, horses, trails through the trees, sledding in the winter, sports, throwing blueberries in the patch and on and on. Not having kept so much in contact as adults, it is great to look back as see how Rick's faith was a significant part of his life. It is great to know that we will see him again.

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Bob Kok
September 16^th 2012

Rick and I worked for FMB/Huntington for my 22 years. He was a good friend. We always talked about hunting. In fact he helped me with 2 of my deer. What a sad surpise to see this Obit in the Holland Sentinel.

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Sarah Beckham
September 13^th 2012

Uncle Rick was always a man of few words, but I remember his funny one-liners and the love he had for his family and grandkids. My favorite memory of him was from when I was kid and we were all at Sandy Pines and he was pulling Nesa and I behind the boat on a tube. We were terrified because he drove so fast and would purposely turn at sharp angles to make us fall off. We were screaming for him to slow down, but he would just laugh at us and go faster! He was a good man and will be missed.

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Scott Veurink
September 12^th 2012

I first met Rick when I started working at FMB back in the 80's. After working togather for a bit we discovered we had been born 4 days apart and at Holland Hospital. Well...back in 1953 ladies stayed in the hospital for a minimum of 5 days so, we naturally figured we must have been in the nursery at the same time. That actually made for some fun conversations and also gave us a common bond. When I think of Rick I remember the time his tape measure broke at work. He fooled aroud with that thing for over 2 weeks, off and on of coures. But, the thing is he would not give up on the stupid tool. I told him to go buy a new one and he answered back "that would be to easy:! That man was stuborn! But of course if you knew Rick well you know that in the end he finally got it working. I also think of how he could not pass up someone broken down at the side of the road. He was just that kind of guy that wanted to help others and just loved to fix things. It has been an honor to know Rick and I will not forget him.

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Andrew Kraker
September 11^th 2012

So many memories for such a great father. I could go on for days telling stories about my Dad. Some make me laugh and others make me cry, but they all remind of of how fortunate I am to have had a father like him.

The one memory I have of dad that always comes back to me is one special night at the Old Kent Ballpark. It seems like such a random memory but I think about it all the time. I don't know how old I was or all of the details, but I do remember is was a cold and rainy night and we were sitting on a hill in the grass. I sat between his legs and he wrapped a blanket and his arms around me and held me tight for the entire game. I never felt so warm in my life! I felt that same warmth the night before he passed as I held his hand and told him I loved him.

I find comfort knowing that God has taken him into his arms and is comforting him just like he comforted me that night.

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LIFESTORY:

Richard Alan Kraker, age 59, of Holland, went to be with Jesus Tuesday, September 11, 2012 following a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer.

Rick was born July 4, 1953 in Holland, Michigan to Robert and Betty Kraker. He graduated from Hamilton High School, was co-owner of Kraker Tree Service, and was employed by FMB/Huntington Bank for 26 years. He was also a life long member of Overisel Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon.

He is preceded in death by his parents, older siblings Terry and Barb, and sister-in-law Corla. Rick is survived by his wife Carla of 38 years, his parents-in-law Rudy and Henne Kleinheksel, his children; Tammy and Jeremy Velderman, Bryan and Katy Kraker, Chad and Amber Kraker, Andrew and Tiffany Kraker, his 11 grandchildren; Elijah, Jordyn, Jace, Rogue, Elizabeth, Kenlie, Easton, Jaelynn, Blair, Enzlee, and Audyn, his siblings; Bob Tucker, Randy and Marla Kraker, Mike and Barb Kraker, Jim Kraker, Lori and Jim Vande Guchte, along with several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Rick enjoyed working with his hands and was most comfortable in the outdoors. But besides his church, Rick's greatest joy was his family.Rick adored his children and grandchildren and spent as much time with them as possible. Every year they would all camp together and this year was no exception. Instead of a campground, Rick's family all camped in the back yard.

One of Rick's favorite bible passages and one that he tried to live by was I Thessalonians 4 vs 11and 12: " And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without,and that ye may have lack of nothing."

Rick will be lovingly remembered for his generous spirit and his unconditional love for his family, He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services to honor Rick's faith and life will be 7:00 pm., Thursday, September 13th, 2012 at Overisel Christian Reformed Church, 4724 142 Ave., with Rev. Steve Mulder officiating along with Jim Kraker.

Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, also at the church. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rick and Carla Benefit Fund at Huntington Bank or Hospice of Holland.