Barbara J. Kratky

Died August 19th, 2011

Traverse City- Barbara Jean Kratky ,74, of Traverse City went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 19, 2011. She was born in Traverse City on April 22, 1937, to Sylvester (Tony) and Regina (Panek) Depka, who both preceded her in death.

Barbara graduated from Traverse City Saint Francis High School and also from Saint Mary's Mercy Central College in Grand Rapids in 1957 as a Registered Nurse.

On June 14th, 1958, she married the love of her life, James (Jim) Charles Kratky. They moved to Key West, Florida, where Jim was stationed with the U.S. Navy. Barbara worked for the Key West General Hospital as a Registered Nurse. In 1959, they moved back to Traverse City to begin their beautiful family. Though always a loving wife and mother first, Barbara was also a nurse at Munson Hospital and at the Grand Traverse Medical Care. In 1967, Barb and her husband Jim bought Bardon's Wonder Freeze, a popular ice cream parlor on the corner of Front Street and Garfield in downtown Traverse City, which is now operated by their son. In the late 90's, Barbara and Jim built their "Dream Home" on Green Lake in Interlochen, MI. Their 53 years of marriage were filled with love, laughter, friends, family, and fun.

Barbara enjoyed many things in life, and she never let her physical limitations hold her back. She was a fabulous cook and was always making delicious meals and tasty treats for her family and friends to enjoy. She also loved sewing and created many beautiful, precious quilts, clothes, and crafts for her loved ones. The last thing she made was a Noah's Ark quilt for her first great-grandchild. When she wasn't cooking or sewing, Barbara enjoyed playing cards, shopping, home decorating, and using her computer, but the thing that brought her the most joy in her life was, of course, her family and friends.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her husband Jim; four children; Kathy (Traver) Teboe, Jim (Karen) Kratky, Steve Kratky, and Julie (Jason) Schmidt, and seven grandchildren, Mike Teboe, Mandy (Teboe) Deffendall, James L. and Jerod (Erin) Kratky, Lynnea Kratky, and Andy and Katie Schmidt, her great grandson, Gabriel Deffendall, her sister Theresa (Roger) Komrska of Illinois, nieces and nephews, and many great caregivers and friends.

A visitation will be held Monday, August 22, 2011, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Rosary at 7:30 PM at Covell Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2011, at 11 AM Immaculate Conception Church on 720 Second Street, Traverse City, Michigan where a luncheon will follow. Burial will take place at Memorial Gardens. Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City.