Ray and Kay Kretzschmer: 71 Years of Happy Marriage
Porter Hills Village residents Ray and Kay Kretzschmer recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. What’s their secret to a happy marriage? “I don’t know,” says Ray, laughing. “Patience, love. Open communication makes a big difference.”
The couple married while Ray was studying to be a minister. He served in many communities and was associate pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, the church that founded Porter Hills Village. While there, they became very familiar with the community – Kay volunteered and Ray visited church members who lived there.
Kay’s many talents included driving a school bus and becoming a piano technician. “Not just tuning but also rebuilding old pianos—all by ear!” says Terri, one of the couple’s three daughters. Kay also made stained glass. Ray’s skills include playing banjo and woodcarving.
In the latter part of his career, Ray worked as a pastoral counselor and traveled to serve churches in Oklahoma and Texas. “We knew we’d only be at a church for a few years, so we bought a truck and 5th wheel that we called ‘The Manse-Mobile.’ Our dear family was all in the Grand Rapids area, though, and Kay hated the heat. That’s when I retired.”
Because they didn’t have a house, Ray and Kay considered renting a condo but, instead, thought, “Why not move to Porter Hills Village?” It’s been their home for the past twenty years. They continued to be active volunteers at Generations Daycare and started activities like Wii bowling.
The continuum of care also attracted them. “We didn’t really know what that meant until now,” says Ray. In November 2025, Kay moved to the Porter Hills Village Health Center as her dementia progressed. “Her strength started to go, but she still has her sense of humor and her beautiful smile,” says daughter, Robin. “We couldn’t be happier with her care.”
Ray says the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Benevolent Care Fund is also important to them. “We want to support the Foundation,” explains Ray. “It’s not a lot, but we have included it in our budget and have it automatically withdrawn.”
Robin and Kay dye their hair purple in recognition of the Alzheimer’s movement. Robin shares, “It’s reassuring that our parents are happy and safe here. The team members go above and beyond and are warm and generous with their affection, giving Mom hugs. They’re part of our family now.”
Learn more about Brio Living Services, making a gift to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, and how you can make a difference for aging adults as a Brio team member in a career you’ll love!