Joann Dratz

When reflecting on the life of JoAnn Dratz, words such as generous, kindhearted, and gracious come to mind, but perhaps the word that paints the most accurate picture of who she was every day is nurturer. She lived to love and care for her her husband and children, her devotion to her family was truly unmatched. Led by her unwavering faith, JoAnns life exemplifies what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. Never one to worry about the things of this world, she was content in whatever came her way, equally embracing both the peaks and the valleys along her lifes journey. JoAnn will be deeply missed, but she will be forever remembered by all who were within her reach. Although the 1920s were a prosperous time in American history, the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and countless American families lost their homes and nearly everything they owned. Despite the harsh realities around them, Lester and Roba (Jennings) Nash were filled with great joy as they announced the birth of their healthy baby girl on March 4, 1933, in Muskegon, Michigan. Named JoAnn Pearl, she was the youngest of four girls and was raised in the family home on Young Avenue next to what would become Campbell Field alongside her sisters, Ione, Lois, and Minnie. Their home was quite primitive during her younger years as they had no running water - only a pump in the yard and an outhouse. To support his family, JoAnns father worked at Shaw Walker while her mother was a busy homemaker. During her formative years, JoAnn established skills and traits that would follow her throughout her life. Because they had a large lot, the Nash family grew numerous vegetables that they ate and canned, and she also learned how to cook, clean, and sew from her mother. As a family they were faithful members of Calvary Baptist Church while JoAnn attended Henry Street School and later Muskegon High School. She enjoyed the companionship of her big black cat, Pete. After graduating from high school in 1951, JoAnn was eager for all that life had in store. She began working as a clerk at Hardy Herpolsheimers Department Store and later got a job at Shaw Walker. It was her personal life that soon grew very interesting as she met the young man of her dreams one Sunday. His name was Edward Dratz, and he was 15 years her senior. JoAnn offered him a ride home from church. That ride later led to a dating relationship, and on one of their first dates Ed took JoAnn fishing, sharing one of his passions with her. Over time they fell deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, JoAnn and Ed were married on February 21, 1953. Over the 12 years that followed, they were blessed to welcome eight children into their hearts and home - three boys and five girls. While their family was growing, they lived in a house on Crowley Street, not far from JoAnns childhood home. From the moment she became a mother, JoAnn made it seem effortless. She was engaging, regularly played with her children, helped them color and play with tinker toys, and even played in the big sand pile that dominated half of their big back yard with them. The Dratz home was the place to be as it was regularly the neighborhood hang out. They had a big swing set and had a small archery range in the back yard where she and the kids learned to shoot bow and arrows. In many ways, JoAnn was just a big kid herself! In 1965, they moved out to a bigger home on Hall Road on the East side of Muskegon where they had 40 acres. This was the place she called home for the rest of her life. Throughout her life, JoAnn was a woman who kept busy. Her skills as a seamstress were amazing as she could sew anything including clothes for her children and matching outfits for special occasions. As her children grew, she continued making clothes for them and even made wedding dresses! Creative and talented, JoAnn also did embroidery, crocheting, and dabbled in arts and crafts and other projects like making dolls and teddy bears. She also remained active in her community including as a member of Calvary Baptist Church until they moved and became members of Sullivan Community Church where JoAnn was involved with ladies groups. She and Ed had a group of friends they enjoyed getting together with. JoAnn also like playing dominos and was quite a talented chess player as she won several competitions. Later in life JoAnn continued to live life to the fullest while holding her loved ones near. By the time her youngest children were leaving the nest, her husband was retiring. When grandchildren arrived, JoAnn couldn't have been happier, and she loved spending time with them. A caregiver through and through, JoAnn took wonderful care of her husband in their home as his health declined because of Alzheimers disease over a ten year period. She continued sewing, often making things and doing projects for other people including making curtains and also working with upholstery. JoAnn was deeply saddened with Eds death in 2012. Shortly thereafter, JoAnn moved in with her daughter, Rhesa. Even as her own health declined over the next few years, she continued to do sewing projects as much as she was able. A lover of life, JoAnn Dratz was a blessing to everyone she met. She worked hard, but she also made the time to be intentional with the children she adored. Although life was not always easy for JoAnn, she faced whatever came her way with both grace and courage that were to be admired. She leaves behind a timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps. JoAnn Pearl Dratz died on Sunday, August 23, 2015. JoAnns family includes her sons, Paul (Julie) Dratz of North Muskegon, MI, John (Margaret) Dratz of Fennville, MI, & David (Cheryl) Dratz of Saugatuck, MI; daughters, Rhesa (John) Martin of Muskegon, Kathy (Matthew) Kollig of Kalamazoo, MI, Freda (Dale) Rodgers of Grand Haven, MI, Mary (Michael) Baldwin of Fruitport, MI & Susanna (Dick Ghezzi) Dratz of Muskegon; step sons, Michael (Angel) Dratz of CA, Mark Dratz of CA; 17 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; brother-in-law Jack Wiersma. She was preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Stephen Dratz; sisters, Ione Hittle, Lois McClain & Minnie Hittle. Services will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2015, 11:00 a.m. and visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Pastor John Romanosky officiating. Interment in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Memorials can be made to Sullivan Community Church or Mercy VNS & Hospice.