Roger Hugh Kraker

November 10, 1948 - April 9, 2018

Roger Kraker was born on November 10, 1948 in Grand Haven, MI and died April 9, 2018 at his home in Spring Hill TN.
Rog graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and went on to complete his Master's of Divinity at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1980. Rog married Yvonne Hoekman just after graduation and they embarked on their adventure of working for Christian Reformed World Missions in Sierra Leone, West Africa. They worked for the next 18 years in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Rog considered these years of living and working in Africa the most significant and meaningful years of his life.
In 1998,the Kraker family returned to the United States and Rog went through training in Hawaii to become a certified chaplain. Starting in 2002, he worked as a hospital chaplain in Milwaukee, WI until 2010 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Throughout his 8+ years of living with Alzheimer's Disease, he was lovingly cared for by his family at home. Throughout these years, Rog never lost his desire to make a meaningful contribution to this world. One of the greatest challenges he faced in his last decade was the limitation on his ability to travel and explore the world. Reading the journal he wrote throughout his years in Africa provided stimulation and joy for Rog until the end of his life and these writings will continue to be treasured by his family.

Rog is survived by his wife of 38 years, Yvonne Hoekman Kraker, his daughter Nikki, son Zachary, granddaughter Alyrah, and his sisters Mary and Sue. He was preceded in death by his daughter Sasha, parents Gerald and Evelyn Kraker, and his brother Jim Kraker.

Given that Rog's family and friends are spread throughout the country and the world, the family invites everyone to share their favorite stories, memories and photos of Rog at http://tributes.com/RogKraker.