Elizabeth M. Kranz

1919 - 2025

Elizabeth M. Kranz

August 23, 1919 - April 17, 2025

Elizabeth Mary (Huffman) Kranz, age 105, formerly of Lancaster, Wis., died peacefully Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the St. Dominic Villa skilled nursing care facility near Hazel Green, Wis.

Elizabeth was born on Aug. 23, 1919 in Libertyville Ill., to Thomas G. Huffman and Mildred J (Schwandt) Huffman. As their only child she helped out on the family dairy farm, developing an abiding love of horses, especially the large black Percherons used on their farm.

She was married to Francis Emil Kranz on June 26, 1940. As newlyweds, the couple lived in Omaha, Neb., where Francis finished his resident pastorship prior to being ordained by the Divinity School of Chicago. After moves to Richmond, Ill. and then Evansville, Ill., the couple settled in Lancaster Wis. where Francis became pastor at the First Congregational church, and where they resided for their remaining years.

Elizabeth was a gardener, a reader, a quilter, a spinner and knitter, and a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears. She became a member of the Lancaster Chapter of P.E.O., and supported libraries and education. She was a founding member of the Sarasponda Spinners in 1986, a group that meets regularly to this day in southwestern Wisconsin to spin wool and share fellowship.

Two sons were born to the couple, Charles A Kranz in 1943 and James F. Kranz in 1948. Elizabeth was preceded in death by Francis in 1998, and by both of their sons, James in 2002 and Charles in 2019.

Elizabeth is survived by loving daughters-in-law, Carol J. Kranz of Stevens Point Wis and Susan Kranz of Cedarburg, Wis. She was much loved by surviving grandchildren, Trent Mitchell (Tracy), Barry Mitchell (Jenni), David Kranz (Erin) and Andrew Kranz (Sasha). She doted on and freely shared all news of her great-grandchildren, Margo Kranz, Ben Mitchell, Jack Mitchell, Ethel Kranz, Theo Kranz and Asa Kranz.

Interment of ashes to be on Saturday, May 3, at Liberty Ridge in St. Paul's United church of Christ Cemetery, served by Martin Schwartz Funeral Homes and Crematory.