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Colleen Kakabaker

October 16, 2018
Kalamazoo, MI

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Colleen Lou Kakabaker, age 91, passed away on October 16. She was born on April 9, 1927 to Ray and Lucille (Graham) Patterson and lived all of her days in the Kalamazoo area, attending State High, where she met the love of her life, sweet Pete. Colleen and Pete married young, built their own home, raised four children, and for 69 years showed the world what love and commitment looks like. Colleen's passions were her grands and greats, her flower gardens, baking, reading, praying, and making dolls, especially her well-loved Raggedy Anns and Andys. She was generous with her hugs and her belongings, and taught life skills by example. All her years, she extended a helping hand wherever it was needed and always shared her sunny Attitude of Gratitude. She loved to talk about the weather and nature, and every day was a "beautiful day", never to be taken for granted. Colleen loved picnics, parades, family parties, parks, and the Mackinac Bridge. Colleen and Pete had lots of special adventures camping and traveling; she had many beautiful places and precious moments in her "memory bank". She told us so many times that she had a good life, and she will forever be our beacon of cheer and inspiration. Over the years Colleen was involved with 4-H, Extension Club, and her church of 50 years, Milwood United Methodist, where she especially enjoyed the women's "circle" groups and crafting for the holiday bazaar. She also worked at WMU for seven years in the food service department. Colleen was preceded in death in 1990 by her beautiful granddaughter Kristine and in 2012 by her honey, Pete. She is survived by her siblings Marlene, Jack, Paul, Ray and Joan; her four children and their spouses: Ken and Nancy Kakabaker (Karen and Matt Sahlgren), Tom and Barbara Kakabaker (Jason Kakabaker, Holly and Jay Ervin), Mary and Dave Yarnell, (Bill Gasaway and Cindy VanTassel, Todd and Kim Gasaway, Mike and Tanya Gasaway, Stephanie Yarnell), and Linda and Jeff Havens (Betsy Havens and Scott McVarish, Kate Havens and Robin Guttman); fourteen sweet great grandchildren (with three more coming soon); two great-great grandchildren; and lots of friends, including many lovely people from her senior apartment complex. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Friends may visit with the family from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 20th at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 4 p.m. in the funeral chapel, officiated by Rev. Robert Zuhl. A committal service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, October 22nd at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial donations can be sent to one of her favorite charities, the Parkinson's Foundation. Please visit Colleen's personalized web page at www.langelands.com to sign the online guestbook or leave a message for the family.