Margarete Reker

Margarete Reker, age 90, passed away peacefully on November 04, 2025, at home surrounded by her beloved family.

She was born on October 8, 1935, in Schutzberg, Bosnia, daughter of Johann and Eva Wolf (Keuler) and sister to Adam Wolf. Emerging from hardship in her earlier years of life, beginning with surviving World War II in Bosnia and Austria, she immigrated to the US, where she married and began to build a family with her husband, Heinz. She lived her best years creating a life full of wonder, excitement, and travel. She always saw the best, the biggest, and every opportunity life had to offer. She lived this way to her last breath.

Gretel was first and foremost a loving, devoted, and proud Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. Family was the most important part of her life. She often enjoyed hosting many family events with lots of homemade meals and delicious cakes.

She also lived her life to the fullest with her various professions and interests. She was a successful business woman, beginning with Textile Retail in Salzburg, Austria, to becoming a Real Estate Agent in the US, and finally owning her own Flower Shop in Armada, Michigan, where she created many beautiful arrangements and events for all occasions.

Flourishing in her gift of hospitality, she was very active in the Church, Senior Center, Better Years Fellowship (BYF), and Austrian Society. She was involved with bible studies, dances, festivals, and event planning. She loved helping in the kitchen with cooking and serving, encouraging and praying with people along the way. She loved cooking for orphans and at youth retreats for many of her younger years. She continued her ministry in her golden years, where every Saturday, she served alongside the homeless to provide them with fresh fruit and homemade baked goods. She offered her presence with genuine care and prayers for any and all with needs to be taken care of.

Gretel left a LEGACY of HOPE, LOVE, and FAITH to all people she came in contact with. She had many "best" friends, spreading love to all, big and small, young and old. She always gave her ALL.

Her Faith was unprecedented, JESUS was her first LOVE, and she had the boldness to live her life proclaiming HIS presence boldly. One of her favorite verses: Psalm 91:2 I will say to the LORD "My refuge and my fortress. My GOD in whom I TRUST".

She will surely be missed, cherished, and remembered.

Gretel was preceded in death by Heinz, her husband of 57 years.

She will be missed by her living Family: her children, Gerhard Reker, Heide Mantei, Connie (Florian) Weinhold, Christel (Dale) Waltman, her brother, Adam Wolf, her grandchildren, Sara (Andrew) Halbert, Leah (Andreh) Mantei, Rebecca (Kevin) Viguilla, Jonathan Waltman, Noah (Rachel) Mantei, Esra Mantei, Benjamin (Kylie) Waltman, Simon Waltman and her great grandchildren, Ethan, Elija, Emma, Ella Halbert, Jeremiah Spangenberg, Lydia Viguilla.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Honor of Gretel to the Ark Association: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YHW5QRMK9UNVA&ssrt=1762806782411