Wayne Robert Kranz

Wayne Robert Kranz of Bad Axe, age 88 passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at McLaren Thumb Region Hospital. He was born December 6, 1936 to the late George and Magdalain (Messing) Kranz in Helena and was a 1956 graduate of Bad Axe schools. Wayne married the love of his life, Janet Hartman on August 3, 1963 and the couple shared over sixty-one years together. Together they enjoyed horseback riding across Michigan, summers selling sweetcorn, and after retirement, traveling to Texas for the winter. Wayne had a lifelong passion for farming, dedicating much of his life to cultivating the land. During the off-season, he applied his hardworking nature to a variety of other jobs. Wayne was a parishioner of St. Hubert Parish, Sacred Heart Church, and a member of the Indian Trails Riding Club for many years. He enjoyed having campfires with friends and many sweetcorn roasts, camping, and visiting Goose Creek. Above all, Wayne cherished being a grandpa—his grandchildren were his everything, and he thought the world of them. Wayne's kind, humble, and welcoming spirit will forever be remembered and missed.

Wayne leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Janet; daughters and their husbands, Valerie & Bob Kreher and Marilyn & Rick Kettenstock; grandchildren, Brandon Kreher and Porter and Jakob Kettenstock; siblings, Richard Kranz, Alvin Kranz, Kenneth Kranz, and Marlene (Robert) Smithers; many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by two infant children; brother, Donald Kranz; sister, Rita (Alvin) Essenmacher; sisters-in-law, Jean Kranz and Dolores Hartman.

Wayne’s funeral mass will be at 11:30am on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at St. Hubert Parish, Sacred Heart Church in Bad Axe. Rev. Yesu Maria Mulakaleti and the burial will be after the luncheon at Caseville Twp. Cemetery at 3:00pm. The family will be present to receive visitors on Monday, May 12, 2025 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Pigeon and again at church on Tuesday from 10:30am until 11:30am. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Team Indian Trails Riding Club, Huron County Relay for Life or St. Huberts Parish Food Pantry.