Patricia (Majeres) Kranz, longtime resident of Underwood, exhaled earth and inhaled heaven at 10:45 Wednesday morning, November 2, 2016, at Sanford Off Collins in Mandan, ND. All three of her children had seen her in the previous days, shared their love for her and kissed her good-bye. She was born in Garrison, ND to Donald and Sadie (Severence) Majeres. She was raised on the family farm near Garrison, one of four children. She loved working alongside her dad, and would tell an amazing story how on December 7, 1941, the Majeres family was moving a large two-story house from the small town of Douglas, ND to the farm. She said, "with the stress of the day, our family retired early, unaware our country was at war." "It wasn't until the evening of December 8th, that my parents learned of the war on the radio."

She met Curtis Kranz at 4-H camp in Washburn. On November 28, 1952, they were married. They resided most of their years in Underwood where Curt farmed and Pat taught school. Together they had three children.

Pat had a teaching degree in Elementary Education, teaching for 32 years and subbing for over ten years after retirement. Communities of her North Dakota teaching career included: Garrison, Coleharbor, Minot Air Force Base, Turtle Lake, and Underwood. In "A Salute To Educators" article written in a local newspaper, Pat was quoted as saying, "This is my thing," and first grade "is my grade." "Every child is special." She took great satisfaction in teaching children to read. In addition to her love for teaching, she also volunteered countless hours serving at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn.

Pat's favorite time of year was the fall, and her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. Every year, she would dress in Pilgrim attire for a demonstration lesson on America's founders. Her first grade class studied Colonial times and each year she devoted a day before Thanksgiving to this special lesson. Her first graders took turns with an old fashioned butter churn, helped to make corn bread, and were given other imaginative demonstrations to understand what life was like in the 1600's. A collector, Pat had many antiques to show them.

Her greatest joy was her family and taking care of them. Pat was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a steady and stable force as she raised and nurtured her three children. She was an excellent example of sacrificial love. She was a gracious hostess, always considering her guests above herself. Pat was a great cook and baker who will be remembered for her platters of sweet treats and family-famous overnight buns! One could always count on a fresh cup of coffee and homemade goodies from Pat's kitchen, where no one went home hungry. Pat was a gardener, growing vegetables for freezing and canning: pickles, beets, peas, and chokecherry jelly. Pat grew flowers the size of bushes. Her German Ivy was famous, and she shared many bucketsful with anyone who expressed an interest in having some. Never one to sit idle, she spent many hours sewing baby blankets, bibs & woogies, napkins & table runners, and seasonal pillowcases. Everything she did was done out of love, compassion, and care for others.

Having walked this journey called dementia, which is not for the faint-of-heart, her family has been among the lucky ones. Dementia never stole her ability to recognize those that were closest to her, nor did it take away her gentle and content spirit. She expressed gratitude to the very end. She will be missed!

Pat is survived by her children: Kim (Pat) Gores; Clark (Kristie) Kranz; and Chuck Kranz. Her grandchildren include: Chelsea (Peter) Fanchi; Patrick Gores; Alexander (Tara) Kranz; Zachary (Haley) Kranz; Michael (Naomi) Kranz; McKenzie Kranz; and Madison Kranz. Her great-grandchildren are: Peter Fanchi; Maria Fanchi; Vinny Fanchi; Gianna Fanchi; Weston Kranz; Taylor Kranz; Charlotte Kranz; and Eleanor Kranz. She is also survived by her siblings; Dolores Hanson of Plymouth, MN, Mary Miller of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Gary (Linda) Majeres of Garrison, ND.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Donald and Sadie (Severence) Majeres; and a great-grandson, Heavy Fanchi.

Funeral services for Pat will be held on Monday, November 7th, at 3:00 p.m. at Faith Evangelical Church in Underwood, ND, with pastor Jeff Higbie officiating. There will be visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Underwood Cemetery following the service.

Memorials will be divided among: Underwood Public School, Turtle Lake Public School, Faith Evangelical Church, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.