Cloudy, 31° F
(July 22, 1945 - Nov. 15, 2012)
Richard Matthew Kranz lost his courageous battle with COPD on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. He was 67. Although the last year was a constant struggle, he kept his great sense of humor and steadfast motto, “Never Give Up.”
Rich was born on July 22, 1945, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Pete and Millie Kranz. He moved with his family to Powell in 1946 and graduated from Powell High School in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army from 1964-66 and was a proud veteran and patriot. Rich was a self-made man, an entrepreneur and a born salesman. He owned Camelot Realty in Gillette, and also Adco Rentals and Spring Step’n in Billings. He was also national sales manager for many different companies.
Rich married Julie Saltee in 1988. She was the love of his life, best friend and life partner. Together they had a blended family of cherished daughters who kept life interesting and full.
Rich was a man for all seasons. He acted and directed with the Gillette Community Theater and sang with his wife, Julie in the Billings Magic City Singers. He loved hunting and fishing and was an avid reader and history buff.
He was loved very much.
He is survived by his wife Julie; daughters, Erin Kranz, Aly (Jason) Carey, Autumn (Geoff) Wilson, Jacque (Casey) Coburn; sisters, Mary (Herb) Gunsch, Judy (Dennis) Driscoll; brothers Jim (Betty) Kranz, John (Tamie) Kranz; father-in-law Bob (Peggy) Saltee; sister-in-law Jacque (Jay) Reinig; 12 cherished grandchildren, Indra Star, twins Braydan and Lennon, Gingi, Kalub, Damien, Christian, Ty, Maddie, Nic, Nathaniel and Jayde; best friends Donna and Dennis, Duane and Yyonne and the supportive Wheeler Family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Riverstone Health Hospice Foundation. The family will forever be grateful for Riverstone’s constant support and care for Rich.
No services are planned at the present. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
