Joan Krieger

A 16-year cancer survivor, Joan Mary “Dolly” Krieger, 75, of Snow Rd., Bridgman, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.

A mass celebrating her life will be held 10 AM Monday, February 15 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, her life long parish in Bridgman, Father German Perez Diaz officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Friends and family will gather at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman, Sunday, February 14 from 2-5 PM for visitation with the Rosary recited at 5 PM. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Berrien County Cancer Service.

Dolly was born to Joseph W. and Mary B. (Rudnick) Rambo on February 9, 1935 in Bridgman. A life-long resident of the area, Dolly was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert L. Krieger (on leave from the 82nd Airborne) on September 11, 1954. The happy couple raised four children who still remain in the area.

In her professional career spanning 29 years, she was the Coordinator for Public Relations at Cook Energy Information Center, Bridgman as well as a successful business partner with her husband, Robert, of Rambo Nursery, Inc., in Bridgman.

Joan and Robert made their winter home in the Florida Keys where she made many joyful memories with family and friends. She loved warm weather, taking rides with her husband looking for deer, gardening, and fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. She mostly loved when her family visited for Spring Break. Also, she loved watching her grandchildren in a variety of sporting and other events.

Joan is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Robert; four children – Robert (Jan) Krieger of Stevensville, Mark (Jennifer) Krieger of Niles, Pamela Krieger of Bridgman, and Cheri (Ted) Hendricks of Bridgman; three grandchildren – Todd, Natalie, and Matthew; three step grandchildren – Cheri, Tiffany and Sara; and one step great grandchild, Owen; three brothers in Bridgman – Dr. Joseph (Evelyn) Rambo, Verne (Marilyn) Rambo, and Rene Rambo; and many loving nieces and nephews.