Name: Visitation for Kenneth Kratzer
Start: 2017-03-24T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-03-24T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Chappell Funeral Home - Fennville

(March 10, 1940 - March 18, 2017)
Dr. Kenneth E. Kratzer DO, age 77 of Fennville, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. Born March 10, 1940 in McClure, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Millard and Mary (Lepley) Kratzer. Ken married his wife of 59 years, Judy A. Anselmo on April 26, 1958. After graduating from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he opened his family medicine practice in Fennville, on July 5, 1972 and continued to practice medicine until February 2017. Ken considered practicing medicine in Fennville an honor and loved his patients like his family. He was a fiercely devoted husband, father, and friend. Ken was a member of the Fennville United Methodist Church, and a active member of the Fennville community. Surviving is his wife, Judy; daughters, Annette and Jim Lacy of Fennville, Donna Kratzer of Fennville, Erica and Dr. Craig Boss of Charlevoix; grandchildren, Brendon, Adam, Sarah, Rachel, Nick, John, Caroline, Ben; great-grandchildren, Macy, Zoe, Bennett. Visitation will be Friday, March 24, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Chappell Funeral Home Fennville, and funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday March 25, 2017 at the Fennville United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Pastor Daniel Barkholz, and burial will be in the Fennville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Fennville United Methodist Church or the Fennville District Library. An online registry book is available at www.chappellfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Holland Sentinel on Mar. 21, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Kratzer

Sponsored by Chappell Funeral Home - Fennville.

30 Entries

Judy Brown

March 16, 2019

He was the best dr.Ever!
I miss him!
Heartfelt sympathy to his family that I know would be missing him too!
Loved his contagious smile! ❤

Judy Brown

August 22, 2017

I am so sad to hear this! He was my doctor for many many years. My heart goes out to his family.
Such a loss to all those who knew him.
RIP Dr.Kratzer!

Denise Fink

June 30, 2017

I only worked with Dr. Kratzer my first year in Respiratory Therapy but he was wonderful, kind, and concerned. I am proud to say my husband went to Osteopathic Medical School and carried on a fine medical tradition inspired by Dr. Kratzer.

Mary Glinski

April 7, 2017

Dear Judy and family,
Tim and I were very saddened to hear of your precious Kens passing. I know this is a difficult time for all of you and please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. He will be greatly missed.

Dr Carl Simpson, M.D.

April 6, 2017

Ken Kratzer was my mentor and supreme friend. He was so intelligent and resourceful. He made everyone around him feel special. He was my example of what a "Doctor" should be. He was dedicated to a beautiful family and a welcoming community. I have so many fond memories of Ken. I'm so sorry Judy. We all loved him.

Elizabeth Coats

March 26, 2017

My condolences to the family of such a nice man. I only visited him once as a patient, but he was one of my dad's (Eli Coats) favorite people and Dr. Kratzer told me some great stories of their friendship. I'm sure there are many, many people grateful for his medical expertise and his friendship.

Yolonda Goedhart-Brinks

March 26, 2017

I've enjoyed Ken for many years. Was my doctor, my friend, and my birthday person. We shared March 10 a few times. How often can you do that. He was a treasure. My sympathies to you Judy and your family. What a wonderful person he was.

Renee Hibma

March 25, 2017

Judy, I am so very sorry for your great loss. Dr. Kratzer blessed a lot of people with his love, humor, wisdom, friendship. He helped me very much in many ways in my career. I was very blessed to have known him. Thank you for sharing him with so many. Hugs and love and prayers.

Robert Callejas

March 25, 2017

Dear Kratzer family,

My wife and I would like to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to you on the loss of such a fine man and doctor.

I had the privilege of having Dr. Kratzer as my family doctor in my younger years and can tell you he had a 100% healing rate for me for which I am thankful.

I am also thankful for the words of wisdom and gems of guidance he offered (no charge) whenever I saw him and for the day he talked to me about classical music and encouraged me to listen to it while studying. Beethoven, Vivaldi, Haydn, Handel and even J.S. Bach. A practice I continue today for not only studying material but in times of relaxation. It is more often than not when I play classical music that I think of him and how he inspired me to listen to it and make it part of my life experience.

May the Kratzer family in the days to come feel the comfort of our redeemer Jesus Christ as you miss a man who forever will be to me Dr. Kratzer.

Robert Callejas
Belcamp, Md

** I dedicate a playing of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings to you my friend. May he forever R.I.P.

Mary Tackmann

March 24, 2017

So sorry for your loss Kratzer Family. I will always remember the great times I had visiting your home and family when we were growing up.

Michael Page

March 24, 2017

I was saddened when I heard of Kens passing. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Ken and to witness his care for others. Ken was a blessing.

Dan Pannozzo

March 24, 2017

My deepest condolences. I will miss Dr Kratzer. He always made me fell more like a friend than just a patient. I feel privileged to have known him.

Velva Vansickle

March 24, 2017

You were my special doctor. God bless and will truly miss you. Helped me though some tough medical times.

March 24, 2017

I enjoyed working with and learning from Dr. Kratzer. He was kind to both rich and poor, old and young. I enjoyed his humor and his wide knowledge base. He will be missed by his community. Blessings to your family, Judy.

Barbara Van Der Male

Ceci Soriano

March 24, 2017

My deepest sympathy to you Judy and your family. Dr. Kratzer will be greatly missed. A very carring, compassionate person. I loved his great unique sense of humor. Always so kind.
"Ms. Ceci"

LeeAnne Jachim

March 24, 2017

I was one of the lucky ones to be able to work with Dr Kratzer. He taught me so much. We had many deep conversations and so many laughs. His heart was filled with love for his family. He was a kind, compassionate, caring man. He touched so many lives, he will be missed.

Stephanie Peterson

March 23, 2017

I had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Kratzer as a customer and considered him a friend.
He was dedicated...to his family, his friends, his patients and his community. He will be sorely missed.

Brian Gruszczyk

March 23, 2017

I had the privilege to know Dr. Kratzer as a friend and as a customer. I will miss him dearly.

Roger Phillips MD

March 23, 2017

Ken was a friend and colleague. He was always concerned about his patients and community. When he was Chief of Staff of Holland Hospital he was a confident leader who lead by consensus, and with a good sense of humor. He was a rare individual and will be missed. Judy and family, you have our condolences and we will be remembering you in the days ahead. We will be out of town so will be unable to attend the funeral.

Craig Kuesel

March 22, 2017

Ken was a good friend and colleague of mine. He was a perfect example of a highly competent and caring physician. He will be dearly missed by his fellow physicians and patients alike. Deepest condolences to his wife, Judy and family.

Bonnie Nienhuis

March 21, 2017

I had the privilege to work in Prime Care with Dr. Kratzer. I truly enjoyed getting to know him and his love and compassion for patients. He will be missed by many people. Your family and in my thoughts and prayers.

Pat Steenwyk

March 21, 2017

I worked with Dr. Kratzer in Prime Care a number of years ago. He was a very kind and caring doctor, and great to work with. My sympathy to all your family.

Julie Diebold

March 21, 2017

My heart goes out to you Judy and your family. That sweet smile is going to be missed. He was not only a doctor for 3 generations of my family but a wonderful friend and mentor. I always loved hearing about him talk about his family. So glad I had the pleasure to work for him also, he taught me alot. He loved his work.
Our prayers are with you and your family. Al and Julie Diebold

March 21, 2017

I WAS A PATIENT OF DR. KRATZER FOR YEARS WHAT A GUY, CARING, LOVING WORDS CAN NOT DESCRIBE HIM.
REST IN PEACE

William Doebler

March 21, 2017

So sorry for you loss, Judy. I have so many, many wonderful memories of our times together. He will be greatly missed.

Jesse and Connie Diaz

March 21, 2017

So sorry for your loss. Enjoyed being Dr.Kratzers patient for many years. He'll be greatly missed. Jesse and Connie Diaz

Steven Taylor

March 21, 2017

Awesome Doctor and friend my whole family loved him and Judy

Clint Griffin

March 20, 2017

What a remarkable guy! Ken was the embodiment of a great primary care provider. He was loyal, smart, hard-working, and compassionate. All healthcare providers should strive to be a Ken Kratzer. It was an honor to work with Ken. The Fenville community will miss him dearly as will his friends and peers at Holland Hospital.

Mari Ellyn VanSlambrouck

March 20, 2017

So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Dr. Kratzer was a kind and gentle soul. My doctor of many years and a great one, too. His bedside manner was priceless!

Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results