Beatrice Irene Kurkjian's Obituary
On August 2, 2022, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Beatrice Irene Kurkjian, passed away peacefully with family by her side at the age of 86. She was born September 27, 1935, to Carl and Bonnie (Brown) Alexander, in Adrian, Michigan. After raising her four children, Beatrice went back to school to become a teacher, and earned her master’s degree through Western Michigan University. She married Richard Kurkjian in November of 1982, and the two spent 40 joyful years together in Canadian Lakes, MI. Her love for children led her to open a daycare after retiring from teaching, which she loved every minute of.
Beatrice enjoyed baking around the holidays (especially with her grandchildren), bowling, and spending time with family. After all, they were the light of her life. An outgoing and confident woman, Beatrice could do pretty much anything and proved that on multiple occasions.
Left to carry on her memory are her husband of 40 years, Richard Kurkjian; children, Michael Carl (Laurie) VandenAkker, James Irwin VandenAkker, Terri Lynn (Lonnie) Collins and Scott Alan (Tracy) VandenAkker; 18 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Beatrice was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Keith Alexander, and daughter-in-law, Marian VanDenakker.
Cremation will take place with a service to follow at a later date.
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