Isolde Metzger, age 88, peacefully went home to glory on May 9, 2025, at Trillium Woods Hospice Center in Grand Rapids, MI. We are deeply grateful for the excellent care she received in her final days and for the gift of her children being at her bedside that morning.

Born in 1936 in Nürtingen,Germany, Isolde was the beloved eldest daughter of Alfred and Gertrud Wolfinger, and loving sister to Traude and Hans Frieder. She trained as a home economics and physical education teacher. After being introduced to a friend of a friend, Isolde began a long season of correspondence with Friedrich Metzger, who was serving in Korea with the US Army. Isolde and Friedrich finally met in person after he completed his service and they were married on January 26, 1963. She bravely followed Friedrich and immigrated to the United States in her mid-20s, later becoming a proud U.S. citizen. Together they opened Metzger's Meat Market in 1966.

In January 1970, Isolde and family joined a new church plant started by Calvin College alumni called Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Wappingers Falls, NY. The warm, faithful community and biblical teaching at Immanuel deepened her and her family's faith and spiritual growth. This sense of connection also influenced the culture at Metzger's Meat Market. Her church family and colleagues at the store quickly became like family—working, worshiping, praying, praising, and doing life together. Isolde and Friedrich remained devoted to each other for 54 years, until Friedrich passed away on July 17, 2017.

During her 60+ years in the States, Isolde made several communities her home—including the Mountain Brauhaus in New Paltz, NY; Metzger's Meat Market and Immanuel CRC in Wappingers Falls, NY; and Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church in Lecanto, FL. Her final years were spent in Grand Rapids, MI. In each of these places, friends became like family and remained dear to her throughout her life.

A devoted follower of Christ, Isolde lived her life in faithful service to others. Whether inviting guests for a "Michelin star" home-cooked meal (often featuring a freshly baked German torte), arranging flowers or singing at church, or serving customers with care and attentiveness at Metzger's Meat Market, she poured out her time, energy, and love generously. Her hospitality, kindness, and quiet strength were a light to all who knew her.

She remained closely connected to her family in Germany through letters (so many letters!), phone calls, many overseas visits, and in recent years, weekly video chats. She cherished every opportunity to connect, and it was a joy to see how—even near the end—she would light up whenever a call came from her brother or sister in Germany.

Isolde is survived by her children: Andreas (Lisa) Metzger, Christine Metzger, and Mathias (Bethany) Metzger; three grandchildren: Abigail Metzger, Lauren Metzger, and Sophia Metzger; sister: Traude (Wilfred) Pfefferkorn; brother: Hans Frieder (Kathrin) Wolfinger; and many beloved friends who became like family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Fifth Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The service will be officiated by family friend and pastor, Douglas MacLeod, and will be followed by luncheon for family and friends.

Isolde will be laid to rest beside her husband at Florida National Cemetery in the town of Bushnell on Friday, July 11, 2025. Her confirmation verse, Joshua 1:9, will be inscribed on her gravestone.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to any of these three places she called home:

Immanuel Christian Reformed Church:  253 Myers Corners Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church, Lecanto, FL: https://www.sevenrivers.org/give

Baruch Senior Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI:  https://baruchsls.org/donate

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9