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Marvin Kreis

January 21, 1951 - May 25, 2023
Portage, MI

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Life Story Visitation

Tuesday, May 30, 2023
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Rosary

Tuesday, May 30, 2023
7:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Mass

Wednesday, May 31, 2023
11:00 AM EDT
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
1150 West Centre
Portage, MI 49024
Web Site

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.

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22478
Oklahoma City, OK 73123
(800) 227-2345
Web Site

Flowers


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

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Marvin Kreis was a family man through and through. Very caring and generous with his time and resources, he modeled a lifetime of hard work and sincere compassion for others. Outgoing and social, no one was ever a stranger in his eyes. A loving and supportive father as well as a cherished grandfather and friend to many, Marvin’s kindness and friendship will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The 1950s were known as the decade of the baby boomer and the modern American family. It was an exciting time indeed with the many talents of the professional baseball player, Mickey Mantle, the rock music icon, Elvis Presley, and movie heartthrob, James Dean. Proud parents, Marvin and Shirley (Kastead) Kreis welcomed home their newborn son, Marvin Daniel, on January 21, 1951, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Born two months premature, he was transported to the hospital after his birth at his aunt and uncles home. Due to the cold winter air, he ended up with pneumonia and spent time in the hospital before being able to settle back at home. His birth was an exciting time as he was the only boy in a household which would eventually grow to seven sisters.

Growing up, Marvin lived a typical childhood of the times. He thrived on adventure and spending time outdoors. Marvin even missed his first day of kindergarten because he and his best friend went frogging instead! His strong work ethic began at the tender age of ten years old. He attended St. Ambrose Catholic School through the eighth grade and later graduated from Parchment High School with the Class of 1969. After graduation, Marvin was drafted and chose to perform his duty with the United States Air Force. He was proud of serving his country for six years on active duty and later for the Army National Guard for fourteen years. Anything Marvin set his mind to accomplish, he always gave one hundred and ten percent effort.

Marvin joined in marriage with Terry DeGoede and together they welcomed home three wonderful children; Mike, and twin daughters; Erica and Desiree. His experience in the military with medical training rewarded him as he was able to help deliver his first son Mike. After eight years, their marriage ended. Later, Marvin found love again with Joyce Yeager. After dating for nearly eleven years, they married on June 10, 1994, at the Justice of Peace in Kalamazoo. Later they exchanged vows in a church ceremony. He and Joyce shared a beautiful life together.

During his years as a single dad, he enjoyed spending quality time with his kids. Talented in the kitchen, Marvin enjoyed making spaghetti with homemade noodles and baking sweet treats with the kids. Marvin always made more than enough food or cookies to feed an army! He and the kids also shared many memorable times fishing on Sugarloaf Lake. A highlight of these years was their trip to Mackinac Island. Mike also remembers going hunting with Marvin over the years. They weren’t always successful but enjoyed their time together making memories. Marvin taught his children to be kind and to forgive others. These simple values would make a world of difference in their lives. Anyone that knew Marvin understood that his family always came first.

A strong provider, Marvin was a dedicated nurse. For fifteen years, he worked at the Laurels of Galesburg where he was loved by his residents. Compassionate and selfless, Marvin always made sure to spend extra time with those who did not get frequent visitors. After a remarkable career, he retired in 2013. He and Joyce enjoyed sharing their days together which included spending winters in Las Vegas and spending time with their family.

Throughout his life Marvin enjoyed many hobbies and interests. Marvin enjoyed flying remote control airplanes, going fishing, and hanging out with people. An avid music fan, he enjoyed mostly the classic music from the 1960s and 70s. The music from those eras always brought him back to his experience at Woodstock in 1969. When it came to television, he enjoyed Dead Files, The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and MASH. Marvin always had the best sense of humor and also enjoyed other comedy sitcoms over the years. Not to be forgotten however was his love of animals. He cherished his dogs; Ziggy, Gizmo, and Dakota, as well as his current furry companion, Kara.

Sadly, in 2019 Marvin was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. These past few years, the family was especially grateful for the extra special moments they shared. Marvin was a very personable and soft-spoken man who lived his life to the fullest. He faced every challenge with optimism and will forever be remembered for his love of his family. May his loved ones always feel his warm presence whenever they are gathered and may his memories be eternal.

Marvin Daniel Kreis, died peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Thursday, May 25, 2023. He was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Portage, Michigan. Members of his family include his wife Joyce Yeager; Children: Mike (Sarah) Emmons, Erica Emmons (Sam Fitzpatrick), Desiree Campbell (Ryan Butler); Grandchildren: Cody, Shelby, Tait, Aidyn, Gavin, Blake, Rayland; 1 great grandchild Georgia. Other members of his family include his 6 sisters; Gail (Rick) Russell, Janet (Chuck) Stack, Julie Kreis (Mike Bailey), Anita (Matt) Varga, Sue LaDuke, Virginia (Tim) Blatchford; many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Kara. He was preceded in death by his sister, Gloria Curry, and his parents.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Tuesday (May 30) from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A Rosary will be recited at 7 pm. Mass will be held at 11 am on Wednesday (May 31) at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 West Centre. Visit Marvin’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos and to sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Centrica Care Navigators or the American Cancer Society.

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