Lawrence "Larry" Kragt

Full of life and positivity, Larry Kragt was a wonderful person to know and love. He lived his life with a strong set of values that focused on putting others first, especially the family that he so loved. Gone too soon, Larry leaves behind a wonderful collection of memories for his special friends and loved ones to cherish forever.

1942 was a period of time marked by WWII; where families in the United States were experiencing a gas rationing of only three gallons a week and a new breed of movies with war themes were hatching. During the years of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eugene and Jeanette (Kunst) Kragt were pleased to announce the birth of their baby boy, Lawrence Jack, on March 15th, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born the middle child of three children, Larry’s birth brought much joy and promise in an era of great change.

Growing up on Crosby NW until his father later built a home on Jennette NW, Larry lived a typical childhood of the times. He attended West Side Christian before Grand Rapids Christian. With a strong desire to serve his country, he enlisted with the United States Army at the age of seventeen. He proudly served six months in active duty and then two years in the reserves. Raised with the importance of education, when he returned home, he completed his GED with help from his father. Once while pulling his ‘59 Chevy into Zylstra Sunoco for gas, Mr. Zylstra asked him if he wanted a job. Larry began working there right away pumping gas and doing oil changes. A hard worker, Jim Beebe ran into Larry and hired him to start as a meter reader with the City of Grand Rapids Water.

His luck didn’t end there. During this time, he also met the love of his life, Lois Wierenga while on a double blind date to the Ionia Free fair. After two years of dating, he and Lois joined in marriage on September 27, 1963 at East Leonard Christian Reformed Church. The happy couple honeymooned in Niagara Falls before settling down in an apartment on 10th Street NW. Loie was working at Associated Truck Lines and they were eager to start a family of their own. Together they raised three wonderful sons; Tim, Jack, and Dan.

As a father, Larry instilled in his boys a strong work ethic as well as a solid foundation of faith. He loved attending all of their various sporting events and encouraged them to make their way in the world at a young age. As a matter of fact, Dan had a paper route at the age of seven years old! A strong provider to his family, Larry and his close friend John Smitter purchased a gas station on Alpine across from the GM plant. Within a year, he was burned out on the stress of managing the business his brother Ray got him a job as a truck driver with Vernors. Dedicated to the work, Larry worked out of Holland when they were bought out by Brooks Beverage and worked his way up to key account manager.

Larry savored time off from work with his family. Sunday afternoons after church, they enjoyed picnics in local parks playing Frisbee and swimming. Each and every summer they spent one week in a rented cottage at Wolf Lake with friends and relatives. Larry enjoyed his time out on the trails on his dirt bike as well as time on the water. They made the best of memories and were never short on plenty of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer to go around! For relaxation, he took up golf and played as often as he could. Usually he played rounds at Alpine Golf Course and over the years earned a hole-in-one on Hole #2! All three of the boys have memories of playing with him and witnessing his famous three foot gimme puts! He also coordinated several golf outings with the Brooks company over the years.

Remaining at Brooks for thirty years, Larry retired at the age of fifty-eight! He continued picking up part time work and joined the local Elks. He enjoyed golfing the summer months and taking trips to enjoy Pronto Pups in Grand Haven with Loie. In the winter months he enjoyed bowling as well as vacationing to Myrtle Beach. No matter where they were, whether it was a shopping center or in a vacation rental, Larry could find friends anywhere. He was very social and no one was ever a stranger in his eyes! He also enjoyed meeting regularly with his close friends at the Big Apple Bagel in town visiting for hours.

As much as he treasured his years as a father, he absolutely loved being a grandpa! He was known to get right down on the floor with the kids as well as tossing them in the air. They were accustomed to his secret stash of candy near his living room chair and enjoyed cheering on the sports teams with him on TV over the years. Although he was diagnosed with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and congestive heart failure, he remained optimistic. He continued on enjoying life and making the most of his time with family. A competitive, loyal, and God fearing man, Larry lived his life to the fullest measure. May his loved ones never doubt the sincerity of his love and may his memories be eternal.

Lawrence “Larry” Jack Kragt, age 78, of Grand Rapids, passed away on September 5, 2020. He was a longtime member of Alpine CRC and Westend CRC. He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Al Stoutjesdyk and Claude Wierenga. Larry is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Lois; sons, Tim Kragt and his children, Skyler (Davis) Wuolley and Griffin Kragt, Jack and Mary Kragt and their children, Simon Kragt, Olivia Kragt, Cooper Kragt, Samantha (Josh) Grey and Andrew “Louis” Kunst; and Dan and Mo Kragt and their children, Madelyn Kragt and TJ Kragt. Also surviving are his brother, Raymond (Yvonne) Kragt; sister, Margene Stoutjesdyk; sister-in-law, Joyce (Bob) Fles; and several nieces and nephews. Larry was an avid golfer and loved spending time with his family and many friends. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, September 11, 2020 under the tent at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Visitation will take place from noon – 2 PM. Masks required for both events. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Edison Christian Health Center. Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to submit a favorite memory, photo or to sign the guestbook online.