Norma "Nicki" Irene Kraai

Raised on the family’s dairy farm, Nicki embraced the faith of her parents as well as their work ethic. She was very active in 4H as a youth.

After graduating from high school, Nicki attended Michigan State University. She was proud to have had the honor of working in the MSU president’s home while attending school. In 1961, she graduated with a degree in Social Work. She began her career at DA Blodgett Services and served a term as President of the Betty Shaw Guild. Nicki spent many years advocating for children as a social worker.

When her son, Tim, was born, Nicki quickly adjusted to being a mother. She stayed home when Tim was young by providing daycare to other parents and doing bookkeeping at the dining table. Eventually, she returned to the working world and she spent many years working for the Kent District Library System, the Kent County Clerk’s Office, she was a census enumerator and GRPS substitute teacher. After she retired, she found the perfect job to stay busy, she worked in the dining room at Culvers on Alpine. She loved interacting with the customers and getting to know the regulars.

Even as a single, hard working mother, Nicki found time to give back to her community. She used her life experience to mentor other single mothers. She was quick to befriend immigrant families new to the area. She recruited & fundraised for the GRACE Plant Hope Hunger Walks and volunteered at Tim’s elementary school library as well as Holland Home-Fulton Manor and the GR Home for Veterans (Vet Tones).

Nicki was a woman of great faith. Raised in a Christian home, she always trusted in the Lord. She was always active in her church home first Bethel Reformed Church and later East Leonard Christian Reformed. She led many children to Christ in the after school programs she facilitated at Palmer Elementary, VBS programs and Children’s Church. She sacrificed much in life for her son to provide him a safe and happy life. Through her belief and faith in Christ, she always had the strength to succeed.

Nicki poured her talents and treasures into her family, and she will be deeply missed, but forever appreciated for instilling the desire to serve others and treat them the way that one would want to be treated.

Nicki is survived by her son Tim (Christine) Kraai; her grandchildren Ayden, Avery & Ellyanna; her siblings Jim (Alma) Keppel and Mary Groenheide; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; her ex-husband, Jack Kraai and her brother-in-law Dale Groenheide.

Visitation for Nicki will be held on her birthday, September 10, 2022 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel where a funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. Private burial will be at Zeeland Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Care Cardinal of Belmont and Emmanuel Hospice for their excellent care and support.

Memorial contributions in Nicki’s memory may be made to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.