Ronald ‘Ron’ Krantz
RONAN — “So God made a farmer.” Ron Krantz, 70, passed away Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at Community Medical Center in Missoula in the arms of his wife, surrounded by the family he dearly loved. The cause of his death was lung damage from complications of multiple melanoma and stem cell transplant treatments. Ron was born at Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius on Dec. 22, 1942, to Barbara Jakes Krantz and Hyram Franklin “Frank” Krantz. He was the ninth child in a family of 14 children. Ron grew up on the family farm southwest of St. Ignatius and attended and graduated from Mission High School with the class of 1961, his lifelong good buddies. He married Karen Jean Bristol on Sept. 7, 1963, at the Zion Lutheran Church in St. Ignatius. Ron was blessed with two wonderful children, Clark and Carolyn and eight grandchildren. A very proud father, Ron delighted in working and playing and just “hangin’ out” with his children and grandchildren.
After working at the Plum Creek Lumber Co., Ron attended college and graduated from Western Montana College with degrees in industrial arts and social studies. He taught school for a year in Troy and then spent a year on the family farm working with his Dad. Ron then moved his family to Ronan where he taught school for the remainder of his teaching career, until his retirement. Many of his former students remember being sent looking for “board stretchers” and “striped paint.” He loved a good prank and mastered that skill. Mr. Krantz was very proud of the many students he sent out to the “world of work” with excellent skills and good work ethics.
He also began farming, gradually turning his “hobby farm” into a career in ranching, which he loved to his last days. Often, Ron could be found on “neighborhood watch” cruising and visiting with friends and neighbors over the fence about the current price of cattle, or how much a ton of hay was selling for, or what the weather forecast was. Of course, a good farm auction was hard to beat as a gathering place for the farm experts of the valley. John Deere green was high on his list of favorites. His financial skills served him well as it may be said he earned an advanced degree in the Krantz fine art of “bartering for a better price” school. The fruits of Ron’s carpentry skills are evident in the home he built and furnished with his many woodworking projects.
He always enjoyed visiting the family and the good food at the large Krantz family gatherings. He spent his adult life watching his children and grandchildren participate and excel in many activities. Ron sported Bobcat blue and gold and loved a good game of cards with his buddies.
During retirement, Ron enjoyed traveling with family and friends, always up for a few days of “getting out of Dodge” to travel the northwest. After one great vacation, he offered his services as a “vacation taker” to friends who were too busy to travel.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents Barbara and Frank; his siblings Betty (Bob) Rogers, Tom Krantz, Jesse Krantz and Russell Krantz; his brothers in-laws Gene Stahl, Jack Reddick and Jerry Hopper and former sister-in-law Lou Krantz Williams.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Karen, son Clark (Adele) Krantz of Kalispell and daughter Carolyn (Ridge) Wieringa of Coram, as well as grandchildren Collette, Carter and Keaton Krantz (Clark and Adele’s children) and Ashton, Joshua, Jarrett, Grady and Durgen Wieringa (Carolyn and Ridge’s children). Ron’s surviving siblings include Judy Stahl, John Krantz (Sylvia), sister-in-law Bonnie Krantz, Ed Krantz (Faye), Darlene Mendler (Tom), Dick Krantz (Joan), Peggy Delaurenti (John), Dennis Krantz (Melvina), Nancy Rider (Bob) and Robert Krantz (Alberta). Ron is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-laws Maurice (Eva) Bristol, Bill (Rose) Bristol, Donna (Tom) Delaney, and Bob (Pat) Bristol. Many dear nieces, nephews and their families also survive Ron.
Ron’s family thanks the amazing medical caregivers at the Polson and Missoula Cancer Centers and also those who so lovingly cared for his last medical needs at Missoula Community Medical Center intensive care unit. Thanks also to St. Luke’s in Ronan. Many angels touched his life and helped carry his load.
A celebration of Ron’s life will be held Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Ronan Alliance Church on Terrace Lake Road. A lunch reception will be held at the church following the service. A graveside service will be held at the Krantz Memorial Cemetery, southwest of St. Ignatius, at approximately 2 p.m.
Ron’s family requests memorials to the Krantz Memorial Cemetery or the Cheerful Hearts Cancer Support Group of Polson.
