Bernice Kranz

Bernice Ione Kranz was born near Popple Creek, MN, on January 15, 1928, to Fred and Lila (Anderson) Mayavski. She attended the first couple of years of grade school at Popple Creek, in the school house across the road from the church, before her family moved into Foley. Bernice graduated as Salutatorian of the Foley High School Class of 1947. She married Bill Kranz on June 3, 1947. Together they dairy farmed near Popple Creek and Foreston before buying the farm north of Jakeville. Bill and Bee (also known as Beezie and Aunt Bee) sold the farm and retired to Sauk Rapids in August of 1977. Bee was a very talented seamstress, sewing beautiful clothes for herself and her two daughters. She was a very resourceful lady, teaching herself how to do furniture upholstering and she and Bill completed many home remodeling projects. Bee was quite active in her church, volunteered at Good Shepherd Nursing Home, Meals On Wheels, and she spent a number of years as a “Lunch Lady” at Sauk Rapids schools. Bernice was able to live in her own home until a little over a year ago when health issues forced her to move to assisted living at the Memory Cottages at Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids. Although moving from her home was “not in her plan”, she loved the staff at Cottages Vineyards and often talked about the good care and the good food she received. Bernice was a woman with a strong faith, a baptized and confirmed Lutheran, a very kind, loving and happy person, with a quick sense of humor.

She is survived by a daughter, Bev Sandy, 5 grandchildren, Rebecca (Ismael) Piniero, Michael (Anna Franzen) Sandy, Kyle (Kathy) Czeck, Greg (Shannon) Czeck, 6 great-grandchildren, Laleigh and Harper Piniero, Preston, Charli Ann, and Zach Franzen, Mason and Cullen Czeck, Andrew (Megan Farnsworth) and Matthew Czeck, Kyle and Chloe Zierbes, and 1 great-great grandson, John Czeck, her sister, Pearl Jacobsen, and brother Al Mayavski.

She was preceded by her husband, Bill (2007), infant son, Larry (1948), daughter, Nancy Czeck (2009) granddaughter, Rachel Sandy (2010), son-in-laws, Mel Czeck (2000) and Bill Sandy (2008), her sister Nora Meyer, brothers Les, Danny and Earl.

A memorial service will be Friday, December 27, at Church of the Good Shepherd on the campus of the Good Shepherd Community, Sauk Rapids, with visitation at 10am, service at 11am.

Bee’s family extends love and many thanks to the staff at Cottages for their loving care, and to Moments Hospice, who added so much to her life in her last days on this earth. Rest in peace, mom. We love you and will miss you.

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