Marie (Kratz) Spencer

HARVEY, MI – Marie L. Spencer, 57, of Riverland Dr., Harvey and longtime Negaunee resident, passed away Saturday evening, October 17, 2020, at UP Health System Marquette with her loving family at her side.

Marie was born December 24, 1962, in Waukegan, Illinois, to Joseph ‘Butch’ and Barbara (Young) Kratz, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1981 and was a lifelong area resident. Following school, she put herself through college and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Northern Michigan University, and went on to work as a computer programmer at Marquette General Hospital for over 18 years.

Marie was a proud member of the Marquette Chapter Harley Davidson Owners Group, and enjoyed riding her Harley both locally and on long trips in her younger years. In her spare time, she was a stained-glass artist, an avid reader and lifelong learner, a philanthropist, animal and human rights advocate, music lover, nature enthusiast, and proud believer in all forms of equality.

Marie was compassionate, kind, considerate, strong, supportive, and throughout even the hardest times she spread joy and made giving a hobby. She made a habit of collecting ‘strays’, and by helping those who needed her, she built a system of people who can rely on each other. Family meant everything, and it could come in any form. Her favorite thing to do above all else was to spend time with her friends and family and the family pets.

Surviving are her daughter: Heather (Jason Whitney) Spencer of Gwinn, a grandson: Laurence Joseph Whitney, three sisters: Roxie (Jeff) Hecker of Ludington, MI, Elizabeth (Don) Brown of Negaunee Township and Valerie Parkkonen of Marquette, a brother: Joseph (Becky Maino) Kratz of Amboy, WA, nieces and nephews: Daniel and Doug (Randi) Brown, Trevor Maino, James Parkkonen, Kelsey (Dan) Simpson and Corinda and Josh Kratz, lifelong friends: Lori VanLinden, Dan Lohman, Lois Lohman and Pam Prusi-Paris, her ‘adopted’ daughters: Cassandra Whitney, Jeri Wendt, and Judy Schoonover, her beloved German Shepherd: Sid, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Barbara Kratz, a granddaughter: Lillian Miller, her significant other, William ‘Willie’ Holm; and a brother: Grant Kratz.

Honoring Marie’s wishes, no public services will be held.

Marie’s memorial page may be viewed at koskefuneralhome.com