Joelyn Kreiser

Joelyn Marie Kreiser, 66, of Traverse City, died Thursday, March 21, 2024 at the Munson Hospice House. She was born on September 30, 1957 in Traverse City the daughter of William Claude Jr. and Nancy Kay (Knight) Smith.

Joelyn always believed that she was put on this Earth to love people…and that is exactly what she did – she loved. Joelyn grew up on Silver Lake where she found the love of swimming. She would often indulge in a late night solitary swim along the shoreline, much to the chagrin of her husband, Craig. She so loved the feeling of weightlessness and freedom that the water gave her.

Joelyn and Craig were blessed with two beautiful children that shared her love of the water and also her love of others. She instilled in them the value of family and of treating others with love and compassion. Joelyn’s love language was giving. She found great joy in feeding anyone and everyone that passed through her door! Her lake house was always filled with the laughter of family and friends gathered around a great meal.

Joelyn was also a talented landscaper and gardener. She single-handedly dug out paths and moved boulders to form the most beautiful gardens leading down the hillside to her lake house. She took pride in her flourishing gardens and was known for sharing gardening tips and starter plants to any visitor that happened by.

In her later years, Joelyn, enjoyed lazy boat rides and cozy bonfires surrounded by her family. She also enjoyed spending her winters basking in the sunny warmth of Florida days and balmy sunsets.

Emerson once stated that, “To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, or a garden patch…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!

Joelyn Marie Kreiser has left a beautiful legacy of love and great success. She will be missed by all those that have had the opportunity to know and love her!

She is survived by her husband, Craig Kreiser, they were married on December 13, 1975 in Traverse City; children, Mandy (Ralph) Ford IV, Barry Kreiser; grandchildren, Maddison and Ralph Ford V and siblings, Bill (Pam) Smith III and Marcia (Ron) Bowman.

She is preceded in death by her parents. William C. Smith Jr. and Nancy Kay Knight.

A private Celebration of Life will be held by the family. Memorial Contributions may be made to Munson Hospice House, 1150 Medical Campus Dr., Traverse City, Michigan 49684.

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