Mr. Michael H. Kreft's Obituary
Michael Hirscu Kreft, age 73, went to be with his beloved Lord and Savior on Friday, April 13, 2018, a mere 262 days until Christmas. Michael was born on September 26, 1944, in Galveston, TX, with a hole in his heart the size of a half dollar. Not expected to live, he defied the odds to bless all those who knew him. When he was 14 years old, he underwent an extensive open-heart surgery performed by the world renowned cardiologists, Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley. Michael received one of their first Dacron graft heart patches that allowed him to bless this world.
Without a doubt, Michael was a very special person with a very special heart. He lived his life with the joy of the Lord on a daily basis. He shared the gospel of Christ with everyone he came into contact with saying several rosaries a day for his family and friends. If one needed prayer, Michael was the person to call upon. He truly was the hands and feet of Jesus.
Rarely meeting a stranger, he greeted those he loved with a simple question: “Do you know how many days until Christmas?” In addition to making homemade Christmas ornaments year round, Michael was a very talented artist. A collection of his paintings were on display at the Texas Capitol in recent years. He referred to himself as “Michelangelo” and took great joy in painting beautiful pictures for all to enjoy. With childlike adoration, Michael loved all that Christmas represented, however, what mattered the most to him was the joyous celebration of the birth of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Michael attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Houston, TX, where he served as an altar boy most of his youth. He worked at Wyatt’s Cafeteria for many years serving others in true Michael fashion. Michael was a lifetime member of the Lions Club of Pearland. He was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Pearland, TX, and Queen of Angels Church in Dickinson, TX, where he spent many delightful hours singing in their choir. Michael’s lifelong dream was to become a priest, and he spent several years at St. Mary’s College in St. Mary, KS, which he loved.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents: Theodore Otto Kreft, Sr. and Mary Catherine Hirscu Kreft; his brothers: Theodore Otto Kreft, Jr. and John Thomas Kreft; and sister: Suzanne Eileen Richardson. He is survived by a large extended family including his three brothers: Steve Kreft and wife Carol, Mark Kreft, and Chris Kreft; two sisters: Kathy Vysocky and husband Larry, and Margaret Ann “Maggie” Burkett and husband Garnell; nine nephews: Ted “Chip” Kreft, Mark Richardson, Bryan Richardson and wife Holly, Pat Harwell and wife Melanie, Jeff Kreft, Justin Kreft and wife Faith, Colby Kreft and wife Mindi, Kyle Kreft, Matthew Montgomery, and Garrett Kreft; five nieces: Angie Seale and husband Patrick, Jennifer Eernisse and husband Brian, Kelley Ackley and husband Charlie, Kimberly “Mary Sunshine” Montgomery, and Katie Neal and husband Spencer; great nephews: Cody Kreft and wife Michele, Clay Kreft, Devon Kreft, Dustin Villareal, Christopher Richardson, Brendan Richardson, Jacob Seale, Rylan Harwell, Bradley Eernisse, Blake Harwell, Logan Eernisse, Kaden Ackley, and Sawyer Kreft; great nieces: Lauren Richardson-Addison and husband Kennith, Jacqueline Richardson, Lindsey Seale, Gracie Richardson, Cali Kreft, and Ellie Neal, along with numerous great-great nephews and nieces.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2018 at South Park Funeral Home in Pearland, TX, with a Rosary service recited at 6:30 p.m.
A Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, April 20, 2018 at South Park Funeral Home in Pearland, TX. Interment will follow in South Park Cemetery in Pearland, TX.
What’s your fondest memory of Michael?
What’s a lesson you learned from Michael?
Share a story where Michael's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Michael you’ll never forget.
How did Michael make you smile?