Marilyn E. (Lynn) Kraakevik was born in Chicago, IL on Nov 2, 1928. She died quietly at home at 298 Sherwood Dr, Carol Stream, IL part of Windsor Park retirement center. She is survived by her husband James H. (Jim) Kraakevik, her five sons, Timothy (Ruth) of Wheaton, Thomas (Cindy) of St. Charles, John Mark (Sheri) of Wheaton, Stephen (Kristen) of Scottsdale, AZ, Joel (Joni) of Suwannee, GA and 11 grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Hugh (Doris Kraakevik) Morrison of Wheaton. She was born and raised in Chicago. As a precocious child and the first grandchild, she was doted upon by her two single aunts, although she was well disciplined by her parents, Ray and Ruth Morrison (both deceased).

In her elementary school years Marilyn was brought by a family friend to North Shore Church Sunday School, where she gave her heart to the Lord Jesus and made life long friends. Her teen years were spent at Schurz High School and Midwest Bible Church. She studied catechism under Pastor Torrey Johnson, founder of Youth for Christ, and later of Windsor Park Manor, who had a life-long influence on her. She studied music, both voice and piano and sang in groups at church and school. She also played clarinet in the church band. She had an active social life and in her junior year met Jim Kraakevik. They went together off and on for several years and were engaged in 1948.

After high school graduation in 1946, Lynn attended Wright Junior College and Trinity College (Chicago, now Deerfield), while she sang and played piano, and had a S.S. class of teenage girls at Norwood Park Bible Church. She spent her last two years at Milwaukee Bible Institute (now Grace Bible College, Grand Rapids, MI). There she played piano, sang solos and in the choir and was active in Christian ministry while at MBI. She also worked with the school cook, developing practical skills she used the rest of her life. Lynn and Jim were married on June 23, 1950 at Northwest Baptist Church in Chicago. Betty Tichy (now Thompson of Wheaton) was maid of honor, and Howard Eklind (of Park Ridge), was best man, both close friends to this day.

Lynn and Jim began their married life in Washington, D.C., where he worked for the Naval Research Laboratory as a physicist. She worked at a bank, taught child evangelism, as well as made music together with Jim (he played violin). Together they led youth groups and Bible studies among servicemen at Ft. Belvoir , VA, later at Grace Baptist Church. There, three of their five sons were born, Tim (4/10/52), Tom (4/22/53) and John Mark (4/14/57). Lynn had a soft heart for hurting people. She hired a young man to work in the home who was emotionally disturbed. He later took a room next door and she was willing to leave her front door unlocked if he needed counsel. Bob later went on to college and seminary, and had years in the ministry. Her gifts were hospitality and counseling as their home was always open to those in need, including internationals, which started them out on cross-cultural ministry.

When Jim finished his doctoral studies in 1958 the family moved to Illinois, where Jim joined the Wheaton College faculty. Stephen was born on 1/17/59 and Joel on 12/26/60. In spite of her enlarged family responsibilities, she was active in counseling, Bible study and prayer groups, and hosting internationals. Lynn and Jim served as advisors to the international club at Wheaton as well as being involved in college and church activities.

In 1964 Lynn was in a missionary prayer group and saw pictures of Titcombe College at Egbe, Nigeria and sensed a deja vu experience. She prayed about this and later Jim heard of teaching positions with SIM (now at Charlotte, NC) at that same college through the then General Director, Dr. Albert Helser. They applied to SIM, were accepted in June and in September were on the field in Nigeria, fully supported. She taught English and Bible and supervised the newly admitted girls to this 'boys' school. She was active in overseeing student Bible study, and played piano for the chapel and student groups. Due to the tropical climate she had malaria numerous times but was undaunted in caring for family and ministry. Young people loved and respected her and she is 'Auntie Lynn' to many missionary kids (MK's).

In 1969 they moved to Jos where she served as Jim's administrative secretary. At this time Lynn experienced an adrenal crisis which was difficult to diagnose and she almost did not make it. She ended up at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in 1970 in a seminar of adrenal specialists, where a proper diagnosis was made. She was put on steroids and given at most about a 20-year life span. This illness and the medication affected the rest of her life. The family had to leave Nigeria because Lynn could no longer live overseas. They came back to Wheaton, where Jim was returned to a faculty position at the college. This was more of a cross-cultural adjustment for the family than the one originally to Nigeria - too many options at the supermart, as well as the hectic pace of life.

During the 1970's her illness was adequately controlled and Lynn was able to work in a doctor's office and manage the family. In addition she was active in prison ministry, leading and hosting Bible studies, and having ex-offenders and others live in their home. Lynn always entertained elegantly, and she was the same with a government official or an irregular person. The boys still at home often brought friends to meals, some of whom felt awkward at a sit down dinner with cloth napkins and goblets. We also had student friends from Wheaton Academy room with the boys. Lynn was an avid sports fan and sometimes became over-critical of a ref when her son committed a foul on the BB court. It was said that other parents came out to the HS games to be entertained by her enthusiasm. At this time they took in roomers who were grad students, those emotionally disturbed, or estranged from family.

In 1981 they moved to Verona, NJ, to serve in SIM's International administration, where again she was Jim's administrative assistant. She traveled with Jim to Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria where they worked with the local field administrations. Lynn was always connected to people, a good listener and a sought after counselor. Field leaders, especially the women wanted her input on issues facing them. On returning from one such trip Lynn put on a sit down dinner for their Jewish neighbors, so they could hear about the Kraakevik's recent 'African Safari', describing their mission work. Again their home was open for Bible study and prayer groups, as well as hosting mission and international leaders, and a number of needy people. It was always a puzzle to the neighbors, that these educated people had so many unusual guests.

In 1984 they returned to Wheaton College where Jim served as Director of the Billy Graham Center. During this period their home was open again to temporary 'guests', such as, ex-offenders, internationals. They also hosted prayer and Bible study groups. Alex was an exchange student from Moscow. At their first breakfast, Lynn prayed and shared scripture from her heart Later he gave his life to Christ. He has now become their 'Russian son' (#6).

In 1995, Lynn had bladder cancer which resulted in the removal of her bladder and installation of a stoma and pouch. Because she needed a high dose of steroids to get through the operation, the resuturing of her ilium did not heal but leaked, giving rise to peritinitis. The doctors had to put in a second stoma, an ileostomy. It would seem from statistics and the internet, that Lynn was the only person in the world having Addison's disease and two ostomies. Thus she lived with a weakening body, yet a disciplined spirit, always reaching out to others. She and Jim became involved working with new immigrants under SIM's Ethnic Focus Ministry. Over most of the next decade she could often be seen in her comfortable chair, reading her Bible, praying for her family and the world, and writing faithfully in her journal, when she was not ministering to others.

In April, 2004 they moved to Windsor Park retirement community, but Lynn was in the hospital when family and friends moved them in so she came to their new home with everything put together. During this past year she has gone back to the hospital numerous times for falling, electrolyte imbalances, or infections, each time coming home a little weaker. Until three months ago she was using a walker or wheel chair to get to the table for meals. They hired a Polish caregiver, Margaret, who with Jim, cared for her. Then she needed more care and went to the Johnson Medical Center at Windsor. On March 21 she was moved back home under hospice care. She quietly passed away in her sleep about 10:00 pm, Friday, April 22. She lived a full and beautiful life and now has entered her permanent home in glory.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 29 from 4 until 9 p.m. at the Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Wheaton Bible Church, Main and Franklin St. in Wheaton. Interment will take place at Ridgewood Cemetery in Des Plaines.

Memorials may be directed to SIM USA, P.O. Box 7900, Charlotte, NC, 28241-7900, or Grace Bible College, P.O. Box 910, Grand Rapids, MI 49509-0910.