Miriam Grace Kretzer

MIRIAM GRACE EVANS KRETZER, 89, is in the arms of her Lord, Jesus Christ. She passed away on December 12, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Kretzer, and her eight brothers and sisters. Miriam is survived by her sons, Jeff Kretzer (Deena), Chesterfield, VA, Dan Kretzer (Susan), Broken Arrow, OK and her daughter, Jennifer Helm (Jeff), Memphis, TN. She loved and delighted in her grandchildren who include, Rachel Helm Bryan (Kevin), Memphis, TN, Carly Funkhouser (Jason), Natalie Kretzer, Charloottesville, VA, Paul Kretzer, Oklahoma State University and Elizabeth Kretzer, Broken Arrow, OK. She and Fred were blessed with two great-grandsons, Brayden and Tyler Funkhouser. Miriam received her undergraduate degree from Penn State University and her Master’s Degree from Texas A&M. She was one of the pioneers of language therapy for dyslexics through Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas, and later established the Academy for Language Training in Richardson, TX. Miriam, known in her earlier years as “Sug”, had a beautiful singing voice which she enjoyed and shared throughout her life. She was invited to sing with Fred Waring and his orchestra and was allowed to join them only when they were close enough to her home in Canadensis, PA, where she could be accompanied by her mother or a watchful sibling. A tiny little woman she was, but she could eat like a linebacker. Miriam was never bored or dull and she made things interesting, always. She was devoted to her husband of 66 years and was a force in the lives of her children. The Lord Jesus Christ was her source of comfort, strength and joy throughout her life and she took great pleasure in sharing the grace given to her. Visitation 11 a.m. Thursday, December 18 with the Memorial Service immediately following at 12 noon at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5296 Park Avenue. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting

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