Bernice L. Krantz, 95

Dedicated Teacher Who Touched Many Lives

Bernice L. Krantz, 95, of Blair, died Thursday, July 21, 2011, in Blair.

A memorial service will be Monday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m. at the Blair Central Court Gymnasium.

Bernice "Bee" Luella Kaiser was born July 2, 1916, in Weiser, Idaho, to Walter and Pearl Kaiser.

Her first teaching job was at a country school in Lynchburg, where her mode of transportation was by mule. There were many duties, including carrying water into the school, keeping the fire going with coal, and teaching grades K-12. Many times she shared her lunch with students as they didn't have any or were eating bread and lard sandwiches. Her passion was teaching and her students loved her. Many kept in touch with her through the years and she continued to hear from some of them at Christmastime. She also taught elementary school in Sutton, Central City and 11 years at Mt. View Elementary in Omaha. She always had a piano in her classroom and played for many class plays and events. She inspired and made a difference in many little lives during her teaching career.

On January 30, 1943, she married Elroy "Ben" Krantz. Mr. Krantz served many years as superintendent of the Blair school system. Mrs. Krantz was very active in the Blair community and was a member of First Lutheran Church. After she retired, she worked in the Humanities program at Dana College as a very dedicated volunteer, working on department archives. She had been a resident of Blair for 53 years and was a member of the PEO.

She is survived by her son, Brent Krantz; surrogate daughter, Agneta Gaines; grandchildren and spouses, Kirsten Krantz (Michael) Bagazinski, Karin (Ted) Bleomker, Kerry (Wade) Falke, Sherrie (Stephen) Syverson, and James Campbell; six great-grandchildren, Jessica, Ben, Annika, Max, Nicholas and Genevieve; nephews, Bob, Ron and David Kaiser; niece, Linda Livers; and sister-in-law, Mary Kaiser.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; son, Frank; and brother, Milton.

Memorials may be directed to the Danish American Archives, 1738 Washington St., Blair, NE 68008.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

#2 Funeral Leaflet

Thank you for joining us in the memory of Bernice (Bee) Krantz. We are pleased to be able to remember her with music played by her niece Linda Livers and sung by her great-nephews John and Philip Livers. Her friends Rev. John W. and John Mark Nielsen will lead us in this service. No one was more privy to Bee’s wants and wishes than John W. Nielsen.

Please enjoy the music today, selected specifically in Bee’s memory.

Please be seated as you hear this music begin to be played:

Children of the Heavenly Father; Borning Cry—Duet by great-nephews John and Philip Livers

During our time together remembering Bee:

How Great Thou Art; Amazing Grace

As we begin to join together for a luncheon served after the memorial, we will be playing two of Bee’s favorites as remembered by her granddaughters.

Ode to Joy, Jingle Bell Rock -- If you have ever had the privilege to see Bee play this song, with such enthusiasm and joy, we hope you understand this Christmas song in August.

We are so very thankful for your presence today and look forward to hearing stories about her throughout the afternoon. Please enjoy the lunch prepared by Paula.

Brent, Kirsten, Karin, Kerry, and Sherrie

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. News clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

FindaGrave # 145550421