Betty J. Kranz

MASON CITY: Betty Kranz, 87, of Mason City, IA, died Friday, October 30, 2015, at the Manly Nursing and Rehab Center. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 2, 2015, at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams – Mason City, with Rev. Neil Manternach officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Sunday, November 1, 2015, with a Scriptural Wake service at 4:30 PM followed by a Rosary service at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Humane Society of North Iowa (Stray Animal Care), 2700 S Birch Dr, Mason City, IA 50401 or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401.

Betty was born November 11, 1927, in St. Mary’s, IA, the daughter of George and Leona (Sporrer) Simpson. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1944, where she excelled in basketball. Following graduation at the age of 16, she continued her education at Telegrapher College in Omaha, NE. She became employed with Illinois Central Railroad and was the first female Telegrapher in Iowa. Betty married Charles D. Kranz on April 29, 1948, at Holy Family Catholic Church. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s Betty enjoyed teaching Jr. Bowling to the kids of Mason City. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, gardening, canning, playing Bingo, fishing, cooking and watching sports – especially basketball and baseball. Over the years, Betty also cooked at the KC’s and Pete’s Kitchen until her retirement in 2004. Betty had a great love for animals and would often come to the rescue for a poor stray. She also cared for numerous cats over the years, many of them she named “Mary”. Betty was a member of Epiphany Parish where she belonged to the Catholic Daughters and Church Circle.

Betty is survived by 3 children: Ann Bengtson and husband Dennis of Mason City, Mike Kranz and wife Mary of Clarion, IA, and Julie Cottrell and friend Dan Frank of Manly, IA; 8 grandchildren: Nikki Balek and husband Chris of Mason City, Charlie Bengtson of Nora Springs, IA, Matthew Bengtson of Mason City, James Kranz and wife Miranda of Louisburg, KS, Kali Matuska and husband Adam of Seattle, WA, Stephanie Ellman and husband Jared of Brillion, WI, Catherine Greve and husband Mason of Cedar Falls, IA, and Marcus Cottrell of Ames, IA: 3 great grandchildren: Braxton Ellman, Isabel Bengtson and Grace Bengtson; and 1 sister: Judy Helmers of Story City, IA. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2004; and 2 sisters: Doris Frueh and Mary Camp.