Fred Ransom Kogge

Fred Ransom Kogge

Fred died peacefully on May 24th, at the age of 88. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Fred Ransom and Clara (Sanborn) Kogge. He graduated from Paw Paw High School, class of 1948. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a BS degree in engineering. While there, he met and married "the love of his life" Jeanette Arlene Nelson. They celebrated their 65 years of marriage last December 28th.  He honorably served for two years in the U.S. Army.  He then worked for Fisher Body, Lear Siegler, Bainbridge Industries (a company he started with friends in Ohio). Moving back to Michigan in 1977, he worked for and retired from Flexfab in 1994. After retirement, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for 13 years, serving as Board President. His specialty was working on the electrical aspects of the new homes.

Fred was an active longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was also a former member of the Hastings Elks, Rotary Club, and the Hastings City Planning Commission. Many winter months were spent in Florida and traveling with family. He had a great interest in using the computer, where he researched his family genealogy back to the Mayflower. His true enjoyment was spending time with family at their cottage on Nevins Lake and working in the woods.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter Lauren Kogge. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Kogge, son Steven (Sumire) Kogge, son Scott (Rose) Kogge, daughter Sandra (Gary) Ragan, son Stuart (Kathie) Kogge, grandchildren Katherine (Jordan) Holzgen, Kyle (Hyasha) Kogge, Erik (Nicole) Ragan, Connor Kogge, sister Dorothy Staehling and brother-in-law Roger Nelson.

Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church, in Hastings. Visitation will be held one-hour prior, at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Ken Scheck will be officiating and Military Honors by the American Legion Post 45.  A luncheon will follow at the church. Interment will be later this summer, in Sidney, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Habitat for Humanity Barry County 1220 W. State Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 . Services provided by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .