Sylvia K. Dratt

With a warm, welcoming smile and a ready laugh, Sylvia K. Dratt lived a life rich in family and friends. Sylvia was a strong woman and a lovely lady who was easy to talk to and who could always be counted on for anything. She had a keen sense for people and was known for acknowledging the subtleties of their struggles with a loving, "There's something in your voice." Never afraid to go out and explore, Sylvia just loved people.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1937 held much to celebrate, including the continued decrease in unemployment. As the Golden Gate Bridge opening gave Americans great pride, Walt Disney premiered "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," and J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel "The Hobbit" was published. When the first blood bank opened, it revolutionized medicine and helped advance modern surgery, as doctors no longer needed donors to be present at the time of transfusion. Nowhere was there more to celebrate than in the home of Dick and Rena VanDenBos as they welcomed their daughter Sylvia to their family on December 16, 1937 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The oldest of three, Sylvia grew up in Portage and helped raise her brothers, who were two and ten years younger. Her father was a welder, and her mother worked in food service at Kalamazoo College. Sylvia enjoyed playing in the neighborhood until her dad blew a whistle letting her know it was time to return home. She was a Girl Scout and made wonderful memories at Camp Merrie Woode, exploring the many acres of woodland and having fun creating, laughing, and leading with her peers.

During her high school years, Sylvia participated in drama, worked on the school paper, and earned her way into the National Honor Society. During summer times, she worked at Mary Lou Bakery, as a babysitter, and as a waitress. She even jumped on the back of a motorcycle and took a ride to South Dakota. Sylvia's high school sweetheart, classmate Dale Dratt, was also her lifelong sweetheart. The pair began dating while still in school, and continued to date while attending Western Michigan University.

As their love continued to grow, Sylvia and Dale began to plan to share their future together. On June 19, 1959, Sylvia and Dale happily married at Portage Reformed Church. Following a week-long honeymoon to Virginia Beach, the newlyweds settled into their marriage in the Portage area.

In 1960, Sylvia and Dale became parents when they welcomed the first of their three children, Darcy. Their son Phillip followed in 1962, and their daughter Heather joined the family in 1971. Sylvia devoted herself to raising her children and ensuring her family a loving and supportive home. She made all the meals and kept the home. With a yard full of trees, it meant a lot of raking in the fall. Sylvia firmly believed that parents" are only as happy as their least happy kid" and never hesitated to support her kids' endeavors. She attended all their special events and volunteered as a den mother. As Dale traveled quite a bit for work, Sylvia filled the roles of both mom and dad while he was away. She was a natural caregiver and a well-loved neighborhood mom.

The family enjoyed many wonderful vacations over the years. Every summer, they traveled somewhere as a family, including Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, Mammoth Cave, Mexico, and several trips to Northern Michigan. Even after the kids left the nest, Sylvia and Dale continued their love of travel to Hawaii and New York City, where they attended lots of plays.

Never one to sit still, Sylvia always found something useful and often fun to do. For seven years, Sylvia worked as a substitute secretary for most of the Portage Schools followed by nine years on the office staff with Pedriatrics PC. She raised German Shorthairs, enjoyed bird watching, fishing, and sitting on her front porch, and golfed as a group with Molly and Mac McFinton as their partners. Her love for fishing inspired good friend Bob Icard to dub her Fish Bitch, a nickname she fully embraced. Sylvia also volunteered at Milwood School and sponsored the youth group at Southridge Church.

Nicknamed Skittles and Pinball, since her brain and body were always bouncing about, Sylvia was also organized. She even used Post-it notes to label what food belongs in which dish at family meals. Big family gatherings were a time Sylvia relished hosting her loved ones. She and Dale always dressed nice, and Sylvia loved to shop, even while traveling. Her favorite treat was cheese, crackers, salami, and a good vodka tonic.

A master of the art of lovingly tending to others, Sylvia treasured every moment spent with her children and grandchildren. The only thing she really did for herself was have her hair done weekly. She never got it wet in between appointments. Her husband spoiled her, and they enjoyed many lovely times on their sailboat, the Silbo, that they kept in South Haven.

Sylvia never complained. Even in the face of heartache, she leaned into her faith and led with her heart. Sylvia lived at Friendship Village for just over a year, where she enjoyed socializing with other residents and staff. As always, people naturally gravitated to her and her one-of-a-kind ways. Sadly, after suffering a broken hip two months ago, Sylvia was forced to slow down.

While the world feels far less certain in the absence of Sylvia's steadfast love and companionship, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying Sylvia's beautiful legacy forward. In each moment we happily host a gathering, cheer on our loved ones, cast our lines, hit the greens, delight in watching birds, or enjoy making a new friend, we celebrate the countless ways Sylvia made every day better and brighter for those she so dearly loved.

Sylvia K. Dratt, of Portage, age 86, died on July 16, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; her daughter, Darcy Dolby; grandson, Dalton Paul Dratt; and parents, Dick and Rena VanDenBos. Surviving are her children: Phillip (Michelle) Dratt and Heather (Scott) Davis; 5 grandchildren: Joshua (Michelle) Dolby, Matthew (Lindsay) Dolby, Daryn and Dayton Dratt, and Peyton Davis; and 6 great grandchildren, Caedon, Gracin, Harper, Wren, Violet, and Lincoln Dolby. Cremation will take place. Services will be announced at a later date. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 375-2900. Memorials may be made to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Ministry with Community. Celebrate Sylvia's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.