“So God made a farmer.” Ron Krantz, 70, passed away Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at Community Medical Center in Missoula in the arms of his wife, surrounded by the family he dearly loved. The cause of his death was lung damage from complications of multiple myeloma and stem cell transplant treatments. 

Ron was born at Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius, Dec. 22, 1942, to Barbara Jakes Krantz and Hyram Franklin “Frank” Krantz. He was the ninth child in a family of 14 children. Ron grew up on the family farm southwest of St. Ignatius, and attended and graduated from Mission High with the Class of 1961, his lifelong good buddies. 

He married Karen Jean Bristol on Sept. 7, 1963, at the Zion Lutheran Church in St. Ignatius. Ron was blessed with two wonderful children, Clark and Carolyn, and eight grandchildren. A very proud father, Ron delighted in working and playing and just “hangin’ out” with his children and grandchildren.

After working at the Plum Creek Lumber Co., Ron attended college and graduated from Western Montana College with degrees in industrial arts and social studies. He taught school for a year in Troy, and then spent a year on the family farm working with his dad. Ron then moved his family to Ronan where he taught school for the remainder of his teaching career, until his retirement. Many of his former students remember being sent looking for “board stretchers” and “striped paint.” He loved a good prank and had mastered that skill. Mr. Krantz was very proud of the many students he sent out to the “world of work” with excellent skills and a good work ethic.

 He also began farming, gradually turning his “hobby farm” into a career in ranching, which he loved to his last days. Often, Ron could be found on “neighborhood watch,” cruising and visiting with friends and neighbors over the fence about the current price of cattle, or how much a ton of hay was selling for, or what the weather forecast was. Of course, a good farm auction was hard to beat as a gathering place for the farm experts of the valley. John Deere green was high on his list of favorites. 

His financial skills served him well as it may be said he earned an advanced degree in the Krantz fine art of “bartering for a better price” school. 

The fruits of Ron’s carpentry skills are evident in the home he built and furnished with his many woodworking projects. 

 He always enjoyed visiting the family and the good food at the large Krantz family gatherings. He spent his adult life watching his children and grandchildren participate and excel in many activities. Ron sported Bobcat “Blue and Gold” and loved a good game of cards with his buddies.

During retirement, Ron enjoyed traveling with family and friends, always up for a few days of “getting out of Dodge” to travel the Northwest. After one great vacation, he offered his services as a “vacation taker” to friends who were too busy to travel.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and Frank; siblings, Betty (Bob) Rogers, Tom Krantz, Jesse Krantz and Russell Krantz; brothers-in-law, Gene Stahl, Jack Reddick and Jerry Hopper; and former sister-in-law, Lou Krantz Williams.  

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Karen; son, Clark, and Adele Krantz, of Kalispell; and daughter, Carolyn, and Ridge Wieringa, of Coram. Grandchildren include Collette, Carter and Keaton Krantz (Clark and Adele’s children) and Ashton, Joshua, Jarrett, Grady and Durgen Wieringa (Carolyn and Ridge’s children). Ron’s surviving siblings include Judy Stahl, John Krantz and Sylvia, sister-in-law Bonnie Krantz, Ed Krantz and Faye, Darlene Mendler and Tom, Dick Krantz and Joan, Peggy Delaurenti and John, Dennis Krantz and Melvina, Nancy Rider and Bob, and Robert Krantz and Alberta. Ron is also survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law, Maurice Eva Bristol, Bill and Rose Bristol, Donna and Tom Delaney, and Bob and Pat Bristol. Many dear nieces, nephews and their families also survive Ron. 

Ron’s family thanks the amazing medical caregivers at the Polson and Missoula Cancer Centers and also those who so lovingly cared for his last medical needs at the Missoula Community Medical Center intensive care unit. Thanks also to St. Luke’s, Ronan. “Many angels touched his life and helped carry his load.”

A celebration of Ron’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Ronan Alliance Church on Terrace Lake Road. A lunch reception will be held at the church following the service. A graveside service will be held at the Krantz Memorial Cemetery southwest of St. Ignatius at approximately 2 p.m.  

Ron’s family request memorials to the Krantz Memorial Cemetery or the Cheerful Hearts Cancer Support Group of Polson.