KRATZ, Leonard Samuel 1910-1999

BERGMANN, KRATZ, HOOPERSTAD, THOMSON, CODNER, ZIKUDA, MUSTARD, SLIFKA, BRONNER

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/2/2010 at 14:05:41

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, January 26, 1999

Leonard Samuel Kratz

Leonard Samuel Kratz, 88, of Ridgeway, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 1999, at his home.

Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m., at Orleans Lutheran Church, rural Ridgeway, with the Rev. Phillip Olson and Associate in Ministry Ginny Olson officiating.

Karen Gesell was the organist. Soloists were Jackie Tallman, "Just As I Am", and the Rev. Olson, "Precious Lord".

The congregation sang "Rock of Ages", "Beautiful Savior" and "Be Present".

Casket bearers were Randy Cray, Dale Gesell, Gary Hovden, John Lubke, Tom Ryan and Mark Thomson.

Burial was at the New Oregon Cemetery. The Fjelstul Funeral home handled arrangements.

Leonard Samuel Kratz was born Aug. 22, 1910, in New Oregon Township of Howard County, the son of Charles Samuel and Ida Francis Marie (Bergmann) Kratz. He was the oldest of eight children.

He was baptized at home and later confirmed in his faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco in 1926.

Leonard completed his formal education through 8th grade in the rural schools of Howard County. He was an avid reader and continued to educate himself his whole life, also making sure his children received as much formal education as possible.

Leonard served more than two years in the Civilian Conservation Corp. while stationed at Cresco.

On June 10, 1936, he was united in marriage with Amanda Juliet Hooperstad at First Lutheran Church in Cresco. To this union three children were born, Carol, Deanna and Douglas.

Leonard farmed all his life, first for 10 years on his parent's farm in New Oregon Township and then on Juliet's home farm in Lincoln Township of Winneshiek County. The couple made this their home for 59 years.

A longtime member of Orleans Lutheran Church, Leonard kept up his interest in its activities. He also enjoyed fishing and traveling, and he invented many things around the farm.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Juliet; children Carol and Jim Thomson of Port Ludlow, Wash., Deanna and Bob Codner of Clarksdale, Ariz., and Douglas and Susan Dratz of Boone; five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, Mark and Kathleen Thomson, Nolon and Alyssa of Atlanta, Ga., Janel and Randy Cray, Matthew, Andrea and Syndey of Lime Springs, Steven Kratz of Ames, Lynette and Jason Brogden, Jonathon, Jacob and Haley of Boone, and Robert Codner, Jr., Mary and Deanna of Newport News, Va.

Also surviving are sisters, Helen Zikuda of Waterloo, Loretta Mustard of Yakima, Wash., and Dorothy Slifka of Waukon, as well as nieces, nephews and many friends.

Leonard Kratz was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mae Vernette at the age of 12, and Marjorie Bronner; and his brothers, Roger and Glen.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.