Edward G Krantz
CHARLO – Edward G Krantz, 81, died after a long fight with dementia on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, in Bigfork, Montana.
He was born at home on May 10, 1934, to Hyram “Frank” and Barbara Jakes Krantz.
Ed and Julia Faye were married on April 30, 1954. They lived in the ‘honeymoon shack’ aka St. Ignatius from 1954 to 1955 and then moved to Charlo. In 1956 they bought the beginning of the Krantz Ranch in Charlo.
As a young man Ed worked in the lumber industry as a truck driver, brush piler, skidder, cat operator, and whistle punk. After finishing his lumber career in the sawmills, he started working for the Fish Wildlife and Game Service at the National Bison Range in Moiese in 1960. He worked there for 32 years until he retired in 1992. Even after retirement, he worked tirelessly on his ‘hobby’ ranch, including properties in Charlo, Moiese, and Polson with his wife and four children.
Anyone visiting would be invited to a guided tour of the ranch, which included names of all of the cows and their lineage.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Barbara; siblings Betty Rogers, Tom, Ronald, Jessie and Russell Krantz; as well as, brothers-in-law Gene Stahl, Jack Reddrick, Jerry Hopper, Tom Mendler and Laurence Hudgins; and sisters-in-Law Lou Priddy Krantz Williams, and Esther Paul Fowler.
Ed is survived by his wife of 61 years, Julia Faye Fowler; sons Keith (Diane) and Max both of Charlo; daughters Karen (Nick) Dellwo of Polson and Dona Lynn (Jim) Lee of Frenchtown; grandchildren Logan, Danny, Chris, Jamie, Dylana, Cassie, Callie, Harley, Chance, Jessica, Brandon, Gharrett and Brett; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings Judy Stahl (of Gresham, Oregon), John Krantz, Peggy (John) Delauranti, Nancy (Bob) Rider (all of Ronan), Darlene Mendler (of Missoula), Dick (Joan) Krantz, Dennis (Melvina) Krantz of St Ignatius; Robert (Alberta) Krantz (of Johnstontown, Colorado); sisters-In-law Bonnie Krantz and Karen Krantz (both of Ronan); brothers-In-law Robert Rogers (of Missoula), Linda Hudgins (of Sun City, Arizona), and Kenneth (Marsha) Fowler (of Burlington, Washington).
He will be missed for his love of life, practical jokes, and stories. The family asks that any memorial gifts be made to the Alzheimer Association or the Krantz Memorial Cemetery.
