Claire G. Kratz

Claire (Gyger) Kratz, 69, of Telford, PA went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Vitas Hospice Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. She was the loving wife of R. Eric Kratz for 45 years. Claire was born in Pottstown, PA to the late Christian and Helen (Haaby) Gyger, with whom she attended Vincent Mennonite Church. From a young age, Claire, her brother John, and her parents took many trips to visit family in France and Switzerland. Those trips and many close relationships laid the foundation for Claire's lifelong love for the region. She was very proud of being a dual citizen of the United States and Switzerland. A graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, Class of 1974, Claire pursued her Bachelors Degree from Immaculata College and subsequently began a career in dietetics and food service at the Johnson Home in Royersford, PA. After marrying Eric in 1979, she began work at Souderton Mennonite Home as a Registered Dietician and, subsequently, food service director. During her time at SMH, she graduated with her Masters degree in Education from Temple University. After departing SMH, she served in similar consulting roles at various area hospitals and long term care facilities, always balancing her professional responsibilities alongside her duties as a loving wife and a mother of two small children. She was a member of the American Dietetic Association, visiting many national conferences and encouraging all of us to eat our vegetables. Claire made a major career pivot in the late 90's, as she moved from dietetics and food service into post-secondary education. Her journey began as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Philadelphia before coming closer to home-working for the last 20 years at Montgomery County Community College, eventually as a tenured professor. Outside of her work, she continued to be deeply involved in church-at Branch Community Church (Mainland), Souderton Mennonite Church, and, finally, Calvary Church (Souderton). Never straying far from her love of food, she led the peach peeling and strawberry processing rooms at Branch's yearly Peach and Strawberry festivals. At home, she loved to host foreign family members and students from France and Switzerland. She'd take them on trips to Philly or Lancaster, proudly prioritizing the Reading Terminal Market and Shady Maple. In summer, she taught people how to process fresh sweet corn for freezing (doing 100's of ears on a random Saturday morning), and in the winter she taught people how to make and eat a proper Swiss cheese fondue. She was happiest surrounded by family and friends, either in the kitchen or around her dining room table. She also loved watching The Chosen, which added color to the picture of Jesus, her savior in whom she fully trusted, even to the end. In addition to her husband Eric, she is survived by her son, David Kratz & his wife Melissa, of Austin, TX; her daughter, Muriel J. Rus & husband John, of Lancaster, PA; her five grandchildren, Daniel, Nathan, Benjamin, Peter and Anna Claire. She is also survived by her brother, John P. Gyger & wife Karen, of Lancaster, PA. A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Calvary Church, 820 Route 113, Souderton, PA 18964. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed. Please click here to watch the service. In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider watching an episode of The Chosen. It's available for free, online. Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, PA. 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com.