Patricia Kranz

UNDERWOOD - Patricia (Majeres) Kranz, longtime resident of Underwood, exhaled earth and inhaled heaven at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2016, at Sanford off Collins, Mandan. All three of her children had seen her in the previous days, shared their love for her and kissed her good-bye.

She was born in Garrison to Donald and Sadie (Severence) Majeres. She was raised on the family farm near Garrison, one of four children. She loved working alongside her dad, and would tell an amazing story how on Dec. 7, 1941, the Majeres family was moving a large two-story house from the small town of Douglas to the farm. She said, "with the stress of the day, our family retired early, unaware our country was at war." "It wasn't until the evening of Dec. 8, that my parents learned of the war on the radio."

She met Curtis Kranz at 4-H camp in Washburn. On Nov. 28, 1952, they were married. They resided most of their years in Underwood, where Curt farmed and Pat taught school. Together, they had three children.

Pat had a teaching degree in elementary education, teaching for 32 years and subbing for over 10 years after retirement. Communities of her North Dakota teaching career included: Garrison, Coleharbor, Minot Air Force Base, Turtle Lake and Underwood. In "A Salute to Educators" article written in a local newspaper, Pat was quoted as saying, "This is my thing," and first grade "is my grade." "Every child is special." She took great satisfaction in teaching children to read. In addition to her love for teaching, she also volunteered countless hours serving at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn.

Pat's favorite time of year was the fall, and her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Every year, she would dress in Pilgrim attire for a demonstration lesson on America's founders. Her first-grade class studied Colonial times and each year she devoted a day before Thanksgiving to this special lesson. Her first graders took turns with an old fashioned butter churn, helped to make corn bread, and were given other imaginative demonstrations to understand what life was like in the 1600s. A collector, Pat had many antiques to show them.

Her greatest joy was her family and taking care of them. Pat was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a steady and stable force as she raised and nurtured her three children. She was an excellent example of sacrificial love. She was a gracious hostess, always considering her guests above herself. Pat was a great cook and baker who will be remembered for her platters of sweet treats and family-famous overnight buns! One could always count on a fresh cup of coffee and homemade goodies from Pat's kitchen, where no one went home hungry. Pat was a gardener, growing vegetables for freezing and canning: pickles, beets, peas, and chokecherry jelly. Pat grew flowers the size of bushes. Her German Ivy was famous, and she shared many bucketsful with anyone who expressed an interest in having some. Never one to sit idle, she spent many hours sewing baby blankets, bibs and woogies, napkins and table runners, and seasonal pillowcases. Everything she did was done out of love, compassion and care for others.

Having walked this journey called dementia, which is not for the faint-of-heart, her family has been among the lucky ones. Dementia never stole her ability to recognize those that were closest to her, nor did it take away her gentle and content spirit. She expressed gratitude to the very end. She will be missed!

Pat is survived by her children, Kim (Pat) Gores, Fargo, Clark (Kristie) Kranz, Bismarck, and Chuck Kranz, Minot; her grandchildren, Chelsea (Peter) Fanchi, Patrick Gores, Alexander (Tara) Kranz, Zachary (Haley) Kranz, Michael (Naomi) Kranz, McKenzie Kranz and Madison Kranz; and her great-grandchildren, Peter Fanchi, Maria Fanchi, Vinny Fanchi, Gianna Fanchi, Weston Kranz, Taylor Kranz, Charlotte Kranz and Eleanor Kranz. She is also survived by her siblings, Dolores Hanson, Plymouth, Minn., Mary Miller, Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Gary (Linda) Majeres, Garrison.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Sadie (Severence) Majeres; and a great-grandson, Heavy Fanchi.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at Faith Evangelical Church, Underwood, with the Rev. Jeff Higbie officiating. There will be visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Underwood Cemetery following the service.

Memorials will be divided among: Underwood Public School, Turtle Lake Public School, Faith Evangelical Church, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

Offer condolences and sign the guest book at www.goetzfuneralhomes.com. (Goetz Funeral Home, Washburn and Underwood)