Randall Kraker

Randall W. Kraker, age 74, of Grandville, passed away peacefully on the evening of April 17, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Randy  is survived by his wife of 53 years, Catherine (nee Tanis) Kraker; sons, Andrew Kraker, and Matthew (Alyssa) Kraker; three grandchildren; sister, Marylynn Marsman; and many nieces and nephews.

Randy was a graduate of Calvin University ‘73 and attended Rutgers University (1973-1977) to receive his Master of City and Regional Planning and his Juris Doctorate. After passing the Michigan Bar Exam, he began his career at Varnum Law in March of 1977. Randy was a longtime and well-respected partner having worked there for 48 years.

Randy was a member of various organizations in the field, including the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, the American Planning Association, and the Public Corporation and Real Property Law Section.

He also served on the Holland Home Board of Directors, the Bethany Christian Service Board of Directors, and the Project Rehab Board of Directors.

During his career Randy received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Municipal Attorney of the Year (9/19/2016), Best Lawyers in Michigan Litigation Land Use Laws (2005-2024), and Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame Honoree 2021. 

He was a quiet, kind man, who loved reading, Key West, Florida, and his family! Randy was always willing to help a friend in need. In the last days, many friends and family came to his bedside and shared memories of their times with him. Even though he could no longer speak, he would smile. Listening to the many stories, it struck us that Randy had a real impact on his world and the world is just a little bit better having had him in it. A life well lived. Rest in peace my love.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 25, at 11 a.m. at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, 4375 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Grandville, with Rev. Tom VanderPloeg officiating. The burial will take place at Grandville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Thursday, April 24, from 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW and Friday from 10-11 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to The Parkinson’s Foundation.  

The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed via this link.