Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Krista Wilkinson

February 14, 1986 - June 17, 2019
Mattawan, MI

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Visitation

Sunday, June 23, 2019
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Food and refreshments will be served.

Driving Directions

Service

Monday, June 24, 2019
10:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Visitation will begin 30 minutes prior. Burial will take place at Hill Cemetery. A reception will follow at Dan and Michelle's home at 81 S. Skyview Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
1540 E Hospital Dr
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-6777

Please direct donations to the CHC Directors' Research Endowment #732541.

Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Schafer's Flowers Inc.
3274 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(800) 760-7050
Driving Directions
Web Site

VanderSalm's Flower Shop & Garden Center
1120 South Burdick Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 343-2671
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Reflecting on the life of Krista Wilkinson, words such as outgoing, strong-willed and courageous come to mind. She lived her life selflessly putting others first and going out of her way to give back to the family she loved. Social by nature, Krista was a lover of all people. Very independent and confident, she never let her illness define her. She leaves behind a rich legacy of living each day to the fullest and not spending a single day with regret. Her positive outlook and sweet personality will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Krista’s story begins in the year of 1986. Following a number of trouble free years in space exploration, sadly the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff and was viewed live on televisions around the world. Swatch watches, Cabbage Patch dolls, and Nintendo entertainment systems were collecting in homes across the nation. It was no coincidence that Krista was born on February 14th, a day meant for love. Daniel and Deborah (Culp) Wilkinson welcomed home their newborn baby girl in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joining her older brother, Andrew, her birth brought much joy and happiness into their home.

Krista was born with a zest for life. After her second heart surgery at the tender age of seven years, her parents took her along to a family wedding. Krista wanted nothing more than to attend the wedding and when her favorite song, Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus was played, she was instantly surrounded by her loving relatives and strangers alike watching her twirl on the dance floor. She was accustomed to being the only girl among all the boys growing up. As a result, Krista developed a tough exterior. She never learned how to ride a bike as she had mastered a four-wheeler! She loved spending time up north at the cabin in Baldwin where she was known to spend countless hours hunting turtles and frogs, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and fishing. If it meant getting your hands dirty, you could count on Krista being first in line! In addition to their love of the outdoors, as a family, they enjoyed a memorable trip to Barbados as part of a seven-day cruise throughout the Caribbean.

After graduating from Mattawan High School where she also attended the Van Buren Skill Center, Krista tried her hand at selling Mary Kay and Silpada Jewelry for a short time. As fate would have it, she later landed her dream job with Western Diversified Plastics in Mattawan. She was well liked by her co-workers and they often leaned on her for advice and answers to their questions. Krista was a model employee often picking up extra shifts and tackling problems before they became unmanageable. She was immensely proud of her position and cherished the many lasting friendships she made there.

There was never a dull moment with Krista around. She held many special interests over the years including traveling, cooking, country music, and the Model A Club. During her lifetime, Krista traveled to several states visiting family friends. She treasured her motorhome trip to Florida with her dad as well as several trips to Iowa to visit Andrew and her favorite niece, Kinsley! Due to the fact that they lived so far away, she always made the most of the time they had together. She enjoyed babysitting Kinsley, playing on the swing set and in the treehouse, and coloring together. Krista also had a real knack for trying new recipes often making more than enough to share! She loved a wide variety of country musicians. She was a fan of artists such as Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, George Strait, and her childhood crush, Billy Ray Cyrus. One of her favorite pastimes, however, was the time she spent with her grandpa and mom attending the monthly Model A club meetings. These often lead to an evening cruise with a stop for ice cream, of course, as well as many fall color tours. Whenever she and her grandpa were together there was sure to be tomfoolery!

Krista had a magical personality. Her kind eyes and warm heart drew others in and could fill up any room with joy! Her witty sense of humor and her effortless ability to be accepting of all others will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. May her close family and special friends reflect on the important lessons she leaves behind; to be true to yourself, to take advantage of each moment, and to live life to the fullest.

After a lifelong battle with a heart condition, Krista passed away June 17, 2019, at the age of 33. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Robert Culp and Variell and Esther Wilkinson; a nephew, Ryker Wilkinson; two uncles; Richard Culp and Garry Wilkinson; and her aunt, Penny Spack. Surviving are her parents; Deborah Wilkinson, Dan (Michelle) Wilkinson; her brother, Andrew (Heather) Wilkinson; step-brother, Danny (Jaque Huddy) Rademacher; step-sister, Devon Rademacher; her extra special niece, Kinsley; and many wonderful extended family and friends. Not to be forgotten is her fondness for her four-legged fur baby, Marble Cake. Visit with family and friends while sharing food and refreshments from 1-4 PM on Sunday, June 23rd at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900 where a service will be held at 10 AM on Monday, June 24th with visitation thirty minutes prior. Burial will follow at Hill Cemetery. A reception will then be hosted at Dan and Michelle’s home, 81 S Skyview Dr., Kalamazoo. Memorial contributions may be made to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at University of Michigan.

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