Chris R. Creek

Chris R. Creek, 73, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Givens Highland Farms Health Center in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Born on April 15, 1952, at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Chris was the daughter of the late John Henry Creek and Alice Mae Merritt. A proud lifelong resident of West Michigan, she called the Eastown neighborhood home for nearly 50 years.

She grew up on a farm on 10 Mile Road, graduated from Rockford High School, and subsequently from Grand Valley State University where she studied social work and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. While her primary vocation was that of a dedicated mother, homemaker and community maker, her career path was diverse. She served the community as a helpline switchboard operator, waitress, bank teller, realtor, social worker (including at Forest View Hospital), and clerk at Forest Hills Foods. In a world of so much blame and harshness, she was accepting, open, and so loving. Her welcoming arms took in and loved everyone who came to her. She even regarded her job as a grocery clerk as a way to love people.

Chris was a woman of deep faith and community spirit. An active member of Fountain Street Church, she shared her voice in the Adult Choir and her heart through the Befrienders Ministry. Her passion for music extended to her international folk-dance band and the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus. An avid reader who was never without a book, Chris also enjoyed the simple joys of playing games—especially Wizard—camping, and traveling through Europe, especially Scotland, and Canada. She loved animals and always had the nicest pets. She was known for her cooking, baking, and love of poetry and thrifting.

Most importantly, Chris cherished her time with her children, grandchildren and her intentional communities, including TORI (Trust, Openness, Realization, and Interdependence) and Saug-For-All (a summer camp for adults).

She is survived by her son, Benjamin Schweizbach (Eliza) of Asheville, NC; her daughter, Jennifer Schweizer Slade (metamour Alyssa Ginsburg, and husband Aaron) of Toronto, Ontario; her brother, Rob Creek (Kathy Wright) of Chase, MI; and her beloved grandchildren, Jack Slade and August Schweizbach. She also leaves behind her niece, Autumn Seavey (Adam) of Leroy, MI, and her loving ex-husband, John Schweizer, along with his wife Anne and daughter Claire Marie.

Chris Creek raised two humans with care and compassion and the feeling that they were wholeheartedly and unconditionally loved. This gift is still being passed along through them to her grandchildren. Chris knew how to sit with people, listen and accept them as they were, all while knitting enough afghans to warm her friends and family for years to come.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, with Margi Derks Peterson officiating. A potluck reception will follow.

Please share stories and memories of Chris on the memorial page here.

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