Fern Kranz, 88, died Thursday, November 30, 2006 at Oakland Park Nursing Home, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with Reverend Mark Helgeland and Rev. Terri Cuppett officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.

Visitation will be 3 " 7 PM, Monday, December 4, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with a 6 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service at the church, Tuesday.

Jane Fern Peterson was born August 6, 1918 at Gully, MN, the daughter of Walter and Hilda (Fladeland) Peterson. She was baptized at Gully and confirmed at Riverside Lutheran Church, Wannaska, MN. She attended grade school in Gully and Wannaska and graduated from Middle River High School in 1935. Fern graduated from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1937 and went on to teach at Strandquist, MN, where she met her future husband.

On June 30, 1943, Fern was united in marriage to Charles S. Kranz at Albuquerque, NM, while he was in the service. Fern taught in Standquist, Stephen and Karlstad, MN. When her husband returned home from the service, the couple made their home in Strandquist. She worked occasionally at the grocery store and was a substitute teacher. After Charles retired, they moved to Thief River Falls, MN. Fern lived at Valley Home, Thief River Falls the past 5 years and in October, 2006 moved to Oakland Park Nursing Home.

Fern was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, the ELCW, the Thief River Falls American Legion Auxiliary and Strandquist American Legion Auxiliary, where she served as president. She also was a member of NWMC Auxiliary, where she did a lot of volunteer work and also volunteer work at Redeemer. At one time she bowled, played golf, painted and ceramic work. She loved to visit with her friends and neighbors.

Fern is survived by 2 sisters: Dorothy (Mickey) Lindquist, Concord, CA and Annabelle (Jim) Cuppett, Thief River Falls, MN; sisters-in-law: Theresa (Ernest) Oistand, Karlstad, MN and Phyllis (Joe) Rensch, St. Paul, MN along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by husband, Charles on December 3, 1983; her parents and brother-in-law: Don Lindquist.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Joyce Halbasch
SPECIAL MUSIC: Terri and Chris Cuppett
SELECTIONS: Jesus Loves Me Medley and Borning Cry
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Lift High The Cross and Beautiful Savior
PALLBEARERS: