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!!!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
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!"
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.
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.
Friday, September 28, 2012
!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!
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.
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!
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!
"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!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
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.
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 16th 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.
Bob Kok
September 16th 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.
Sarah Beckham
September 13th 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.
Scott Veurink
September 12th 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.
Andrew Kraker
September 11th 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.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Herb Kraker
September 16th 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.
Bob Kok
September 16th 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.
Sarah Beckham
September 13th 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.
Scott Veurink
September 12th 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.
Andrew Kraker
September 11th 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.
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.
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