John Kratzer (1933-2021)

KRATZER, GRAY, JONES

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/30/2021 at 09:52:17

JOHN KRATZER

Cedar Rapids

John George Kratzer, 88, a long-time resident of Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa, passed away Sept. 25, 2021, at the St. Charles Brighton Garden Reminiscence Center. He was born May 28, 1933, in Springfield, Ill., to Clarence and Aileen (Gray) Kratzer. He was preceded in death, four days before his passing, by his beloved wife of 67 years, Nancy (Jones) Kratzer.

John graduated from Springfield, Ill., Lanphier High School in 1951 and the University of Illinois in 1955 with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and fondly recalled his fraternity days. He married Nancy on Sept. 4, 1954. After college, John served as a Lieutenant in the armed forces, Army Corps. John joined Collins Radio Co. in 1958 and retired as Director of Information Systems (Missiles and Avionics), Rockwell International (Collins Division), in 1989. John thought one of the greatest gifts he was given was working with Arthur Collins and the brilliant engineers on his team.

John was passionate about fishing, exploring every fishing hole from Lake Macbride to the trout streams of New Zealand. When he wasn't fishing, he enjoyed playing cards with family, friends and colleagues. Exploring the Midwest with Nancy was a lifelong pursuit.

He is survived by one daughter, Katherine Kratzer (Greg Olson) of St. Charles, Ill.; two sons, Dr. John Kratzer (Tammy), Syracuse, Ind., and Tom Kratzer (Helen), Golden, Colo.; one brother, David (Judy) Kratzer, Gainesville, Fla.; one sister, Shirley Hudson, Springfield, Ill.: eight grandchildren, Jason Kratzer (Sara), Waukee, Iowa, Nick Kratzer (Allison McCarthy), Clive, Iowa, Danny Kratzer, Englewood, Colo., Anna-Lise Cappy (Jeff), Alexandria, Ky., Cari Olson (Phil Magnone), Indianapolis, Ind., Marshall Kratzer (Bethany), Seattle, Wash., Mitchell Kratzer, Golden, Colo., and Ian Kratzer, Golden, Colo.; and eight great-grandchildren.

I pray that I may live to fish until my dying day,

and when it comes to my last cast, I then

most humbly pray:

When in the Lord's great landing net and

peacefully asleep,

that in his mercy I be judged big enough to keep

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550. On the memo line or on a note attached, please indicate "Gift in memory of John Kratzer – Retinal Research. Credit card gifts may be made at givetoiowa.org.

Online condolences may be left for the family at cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.