Erwin 'Pete' H. Kakabaker

KAKABAKER, Erwin H. "Pete"
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Erwin H. "Pete" Kakabaker, age 86, of Kalamazoo, died Aug. 20 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Pete was born 12/6/1925 in Kalamazoo to the late William Hartman and Opal Francis Sanford Kakabaker. He graduated from State High and married Colleen Lou Patterson in 1943, then served his country in the United States Army Air Corps. Pete's career was as a Master Electrician, working for Sanderson Electric then Moore Electric for 40 years, and was involved in the physical plant; and as a trustee for his church of 50 years, Milwood United Methodist. Pete could build and repair anything and was always willing to lend a hand. He built every bit of their lovely brick home and did all of the maintenance and upkeep until Parkinson's disease made that impossible. Colleen and Pete loved to camp and travel and over the years accumulated many, many treasures in their "memory bank". All that knew him will miss him dearly, but we are comforted in the knowledge that he lived a good life. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Colleen, four children: Ken Nancy, Tom Barbara, Mary David Yarnell, Linda Jeff Havens; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and many other dear relatives and friends; and was preceded in death by his granddaughter Kristine. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 - 7:00 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre, Portage, and the service at their church, Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage Rd. on Friday at 3:00. Interment will take place on Monday at Fort Custer National Cemetery. A memorial contribution may be made to Milwood United Methodist Church or to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo.