Martin E. Krieger

Martin E. Krieger, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his family, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at his home. He was born on January 25, 1923 to Julius & Renata (Steinke) Krieger in Coloma, Michigan and grew up on the family farm. Martin was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Coloma. Following his graduation from Coloma High School in 1941, he was drafted into the United States Army- Air Corp. After the war he attended Michigan State University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Marketing. He was an avid Spartan fan. Martin worked at several manufacturing and commercial businesses in Southwest Michigan before settling into his career as a Life Insurance Agent. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter and a multiple year member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He was also active in many local civic organizations and served as President of Jaycees, Benton Harbor Kiwanis Club, and the Life Underwriters Association. As a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor Martin often served as Congregational President and on many church boards. He showed his love for Christian education by being a lifelong supporter of Michigan Lutheran High School, as well as his love for spreading the Gospel by being an original member of L.A.C.E.; an organization dedicated to financing mission endeavors. Martin married his loving and devoted wife, Adeline (Grams) on June 19, 1948. Throughout their 65 years together Martin enjoyed many insurance convention trips with Adeline and shared his love of travel with his family. Martin is survived by his wife Adeline, daughter Diane (Randall) Rathje; son David Krieger; five grandchildren Jennifer (Daniel) Zeiss, Reverand Christopher (Beth) Rathje, Sean Rathje, Matthew Krieger and Whitney Krieger, and great granddaughters Kyah Rathje and Bryn Rathje; sister Margaret (Kenneth) Woodward; brother Oscar Krieger and sister-in-law Louise Krieger and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in deth by his parents; siblings Ernest Krieger, Leonida (William) Doroh and Alitta (Joseph) Swartzlander and sister–in-law Delores Krieger. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 27, 2013 at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1965 Broadway, Benton Harbor, with Reverend Paul S. Naumann officiating. There will be a burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday, July 26, 2013, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Michigan Lutheran High School or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory of Martin may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.