Charles Kranz, Jr.

Charles Kranz, Jr., of Montevideo, died Sunday, April 30, 2017 at the Luther Haven Nursing Home at the age of 89.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Pastor Jeff Fitzkappes   Burial will be at Terrace Lawn Memory Gardens, rural Montevideo.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2017 from 5-7 PM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo with a prayer service at 6:30 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Charles “Chuck” Kranz Jr. was born August 18, 1927 in Chippewa County, MN, the son of Charles Sr. and Beulah (Ruff) Kranz.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran church in rural Montevideo.  He attended school in rural Montevideo through the 8th grade, after which he worked on the family farm.  He was united in marriage to Phyllis Groothuis on August 15, 1948 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City, MN.  They were together until her death in 1999.

The couple farmed east of Montevideo and later north of Watson, MN until 1966, when they quit farming and moved into Montevideo.  While living in Montevideo he worked as a bartender at the Montevideo Municipal and was also a member of the Montevideo Ambulance Squad.

In 1970 they moved to Hopkins and later Minnetonka where Chuck was employed by C.F. Haglin Construction Company and was a member of the Labors Union Local 563.  He retired in 1989, as a Labor Foreman and they returned to Montevideo.  He turned his farming skills into gardening while living in Hopkins and Montevideo. After settling in and becoming the local handyman around town, Chuck started working for Cenex in the fall and spring hauling fertilizer to the local farmers.  He later worked for Ben Ervin at the Clara City Beet Dump.

Chuck loved to fish year round and often spent nights in the fish house after Phyllis’s passing.  He would freeze his catch, and then have a fish- fry for friends and family.  He also loved gardening and every year his vegetable garden grew larger.  He would share his produce with family, friends, and neighbors.  He continued to deer hunt until his 80's and would hunt along side his children and grandchildren.  Chuck was a regular donor to the Memorial Blood Bank and reached the 10 Gallon Donation level.

Chuck spent his last five years at Luther Haven in Montevideo, where he died peacefully on April 30, 2017, surrounded by family.

Chuck is survived by four children, Karla Larson, St. Louis Park, Steve (Karen) Kranz, Long Lake, Barb (Gary) Huntley, Montevideo, and Brian (Carolyn) Kranz, Eau Claire, WI; grandchildren: Mike (Lori) Huntley, Kim (Matt) Kane, Jen Larson, Patrick (Michelle) Larson, Nate (Keri) Kranz, Dalton Kranz, and Aaron Kranz; 16 great grandchildren; and sister, Delores, Schoep, CA; as well as other extended relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Phyllis, siblings: Helen, Betty and Russell as well as several extended family members.

Memorials are preferred to the “Let’s Go Fishing” Chippewa County Chapter.

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