Mary Jo Kranz

Mary Jo Kranz, 76 of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in her home. Mary Jo was born November 14, 1948, in Highland Park, Michigan, the daughter of Frederick and Ursula (Spires) Huber. She grew up in Ferndale, Michigan and graduated from St. James High School. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit and received her degree in Education. She started her teaching career at parochial schools in the Detroit suburbs.

On July 30, 1971, she married the love of her life, Raymond Kranz who she met at a square dancing class at Wayne State University. In 1973 their first daughter, Kathy, was born and they moved to Quincy, Michigan, where Ray acquired his dental practice. In 1975 their daughter Amy was born. She lived in Quincy for 42 years in the same house on a channel to Marble Lake where the family enjoyed the lake life. Mary Jo taught third grade for 19 years at Quincy Community Schools until she retired in 2005. She loved her students, fellow teachers and friends. You couldn't walk around Quincy without a student (past and present) coming up to her to give her a hug. She was very active in many organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, President of Branch County Community Foundation, Quincy Library Board, NIKA and Altrusa. Ray passed in 2009.

In July 2014 she moved to Colorado to be close to her amazing daughters, son-in-law, and grandson. She was so thankful for the almost 11 years of spending precious time in Colorado with them. Of course, one of her greatest joys was her grandson, Keegan. Mary Jo traveled the world and went to almost all of the national parks. She enjoyed all of the activities and friends of the Heritage Eagle Bend community in Aurora. Mary Jo was the kindest, most generous person. She always worried about others first. Mary Jo volunteered for Denver Hospice visiting patients in their homes, PLAN, CAL, HEB Book Club, Singles and other clubs. She loved to play bridge, Mah Jong, golf, and bocce ball. Some of her favorite things to do were spending time with friends and family, travel and reading. She belonged to Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church. Mary Jo said she lived an amazing life and wouldn't change a thing.

Survived by daughter Katherine Kranz and precious grandson Keegan of Centennial, Colorado, daughter Amy Kranz, DVM (Preston Hodge) of Palmer Lake, Colorado, sister Anne (Len) Buckman, brother Tom (Ellen) Huber, sister Donna Aro, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ray.

Optional - Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 11:00 am

Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church, 18000 East Arapahoe Road Foxfield, CO 80016

Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 3:00 pm with eulogies

Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club, 23155 E Heritage Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80016 - Antero Room

In lieu of flowers, Mary Jo chose donations to:

Save the Children http://children.org/

Food Bank of the Rockies http://give.foodbankrockies.org/

National Parks Foundation http://give.nationalparks.org/

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) http://help.dav.org/

Quincy Public Library, 11 N. Main St. Quincy MI 49082

Please note the following when donating:

In Memory of Mary Jo Kranz and notification can be sent to The Kranz Family at her home address