Obituary of Gordon Krantz

Krantz, Gordon (May 13, 1924 October 2, 2019) son of Scandinavian immigrants and a graduate of Red Wing High School, was a farm boy until World War II took him to Europe. After returning from the war, he finished his studies in psychology at Bethel College (St Paul), met and married Bernice Madsen Krantz, and settled in south Minneapolis to raise their four children. He finished his Master's degree at the University of Minnesota to pioneer in the field of special education, first as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, then the first psychologist to work in the first sheltered workshop in the US, before moving on to work in public schools as a pioneer in the then-new field of public secondary special education. After completing his PhD at UMn, he worked in community service development before "retiring." In 1995 he married Ruth Martin Pikal Krantz, thereby gaining what he called his "bonus family."

In his retirement, Gordon traveled extensively, visiting 53 countries. He was an enthusiastic volunteer, especially at his church, and he also found time to write and self-publish eight books, ranging from memoirs and family history to Biblical fiction and exegesis.

He is survived by his children and their spouses Eileen Parfrey, Douglas Krantz (Patricia), Donald Krantz, and Kathleen Victor (Tom); his bonus family and their spouses Dave Pikal (Terry), Steven Pikal (Cheryl), Thomas Pikal (Nancy), Susan Pikal Simpson (Gary); his ten grandchildren Matthew, Lindsey, Kelly, Emily, Nathaniel, Anders, Elizabeth, John, Kevin, Patrick; his bonus grandchildren (Lauren, Emily, Darryl, Madeline, Jacob, Joshua, Lydia); and five great-grandchildren (Sheldon, Johnathan, Christopher, Jason, and Brian).

He was preceded in death by his wives, Bernice and Ruth, and by one grandchild, Lovell Pikal.

Services will be at Hope Presbyterian Church, 7132 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis on November 1 at 11:00. Memorials to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862.