Victoria Ann “Vicki” Garland
May 8th, 1945 - November 18th, 2023
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Vicki's Obituary
Victoria Ann (Krivak) Garland, most recently of Fort Wayne, Indiana, previously of Coloma, Michigan, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the 18th day of November, 2023.
Victoria was born on Victory in Europe Day - May 8, 1945, to Rudolph and Margaret (Kuball) Krivak, of Stevensville, Michigan. She graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1963, having served as the President of the Future Secretaries of America organization. She completed several secretarial training courses and took her first job at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. She also worked for All-Phase Electric Company and Whirlpool Corporation as a secretary.
Vicki married Michael S. Garland on September 10, 1966 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, the two moved to Germany to live for several years while Mike was stationed there with the U.S. Air Force. Vicki and Mike had fond memories of living overseas and enjoyed having family visit them there. After returning home to live in Stevensville, Vicki was a stay-at-home mother until returning to work as secretary at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Stevensville. The Garland family moved out to Coloma, Michigan after purchasing Hennes Acres from Mike’s family. Vicki enjoyed living on the 20 acres of property and over the years, Vicki enjoyed tending to flowering plants and watching the wild-life. In 1990, Vicki transitioned to serve in the secretary role at Michigan Lutheran High School in St. Joseph, Michigan where she joyfully served the students, staff and families for 20 years, retiring in 2010.
Vicki was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She loved her St. Paul’s family, as well as the many friends she made while at MLHS. Mrs. Garland loved serving the MLHS students and they were like family to her. Vicki was a sweet and caring soul, desiring to help those around her. If you visited Vicki, she would be sure to give you something to eat and drink. She had a love of nature and animals, enjoying family camping trips throughout Michigan, with many summer weekends spent at Camp Lor-Ray with Mike and family. She cared for many pets over the years, often bringing home strays to feed and find homes for. She especially enjoyed feeding and watching the birds, particularly in her later years.
Vicki loved being a grandma, and she and Mike took many trips to visit and spoil grandchildren wherever they were living, including London, Minnesota and Indiana. After Mike’s passing in 2010, Vicki and her sister Judie, enjoyed taking trips together, including to Arizona and Florida or just to see each other in Michigan and Indiana. Vicki loved serving others and after retirement she stayed active volunteering at the Lighthouse Attic in Stevensville, the North Berrien Senior Center in Coloma and at St. Paul’s.
In 2017, after some health issues, Vicki moved down to Fort Wayne, Indiana to be closer to her daughter. It wasn’t long before she was making new friends at her retirement community and partaking in the various social events that were offered. Vicki stayed active in the local Lutheran church, went to Bible studies and encouraged others to attend. Vicki’s positive attitude and beautiful smile impacted those around her and she will be greatly missed.
Vicki is survived by her son, Michael S. (Jackie) Garland, Jr. of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her daughter, Melissa (Michael) Hawk of Fort Wayne, Indiana; five grandchildren: Michael S. Garland, III; Alison Garland; Christopher, Abigail and Timothy Hawk; her brothers-in-law: Timothy (Dena) Garland of Coloma, Michigan and Charles Garland of Three Oaks, Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Vicki was preceded in death by her husband, Michael S. Garland, Sr., her sister and brother-in-law, Judith and Jerry Wabeke, her parents, Rudolph and Margaret Krivak, and her mother-in-law, Mary Garland. We rejoice that she is now reunited with these loved ones and many others.
A Celebration of Eternal Life will be held on January 2, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 John Beers Rd., at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Jesse Knox officiating. Memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Stevensville, Michigan; Michigan Lutheran High School, St. Joseph, Michigan or Lutheran Life Villages, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Victoria was born on Victory in Europe Day - May 8, 1945, to Rudolph and Margaret (Kuball) Krivak, of Stevensville, Michigan. She graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1963, having served as the President of the Future Secretaries of America organization. She completed several secretarial training courses and took her first job at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. She also worked for All-Phase Electric Company and Whirlpool Corporation as a secretary.
Vicki married Michael S. Garland on September 10, 1966 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, the two moved to Germany to live for several years while Mike was stationed there with the U.S. Air Force. Vicki and Mike had fond memories of living overseas and enjoyed having family visit them there. After returning home to live in Stevensville, Vicki was a stay-at-home mother until returning to work as secretary at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Stevensville. The Garland family moved out to Coloma, Michigan after purchasing Hennes Acres from Mike’s family. Vicki enjoyed living on the 20 acres of property and over the years, Vicki enjoyed tending to flowering plants and watching the wild-life. In 1990, Vicki transitioned to serve in the secretary role at Michigan Lutheran High School in St. Joseph, Michigan where she joyfully served the students, staff and families for 20 years, retiring in 2010.
Vicki was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She loved her St. Paul’s family, as well as the many friends she made while at MLHS. Mrs. Garland loved serving the MLHS students and they were like family to her. Vicki was a sweet and caring soul, desiring to help those around her. If you visited Vicki, she would be sure to give you something to eat and drink. She had a love of nature and animals, enjoying family camping trips throughout Michigan, with many summer weekends spent at Camp Lor-Ray with Mike and family. She cared for many pets over the years, often bringing home strays to feed and find homes for. She especially enjoyed feeding and watching the birds, particularly in her later years.
Vicki loved being a grandma, and she and Mike took many trips to visit and spoil grandchildren wherever they were living, including London, Minnesota and Indiana. After Mike’s passing in 2010, Vicki and her sister Judie, enjoyed taking trips together, including to Arizona and Florida or just to see each other in Michigan and Indiana. Vicki loved serving others and after retirement she stayed active volunteering at the Lighthouse Attic in Stevensville, the North Berrien Senior Center in Coloma and at St. Paul’s.
In 2017, after some health issues, Vicki moved down to Fort Wayne, Indiana to be closer to her daughter. It wasn’t long before she was making new friends at her retirement community and partaking in the various social events that were offered. Vicki stayed active in the local Lutheran church, went to Bible studies and encouraged others to attend. Vicki’s positive attitude and beautiful smile impacted those around her and she will be greatly missed.
Vicki is survived by her son, Michael S. (Jackie) Garland, Jr. of Minneapolis, Minnesota; her daughter, Melissa (Michael) Hawk of Fort Wayne, Indiana; five grandchildren: Michael S. Garland, III; Alison Garland; Christopher, Abigail and Timothy Hawk; her brothers-in-law: Timothy (Dena) Garland of Coloma, Michigan and Charles Garland of Three Oaks, Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Vicki was preceded in death by her husband, Michael S. Garland, Sr., her sister and brother-in-law, Judith and Jerry Wabeke, her parents, Rudolph and Margaret Krivak, and her mother-in-law, Mary Garland. We rejoice that she is now reunited with these loved ones and many others.
A Celebration of Eternal Life will be held on January 2, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 John Beers Rd., at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Jesse Knox officiating. Memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Stevensville, Michigan; Michigan Lutheran High School, St. Joseph, Michigan or Lutheran Life Villages, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
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