Contributions to the tribute of Lila Kranz

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The family of Lila Kranz uploaded a photo

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

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The family of Lila Kranz uploaded a photo

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

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Paula Sears (nee Seidl) posted a condolence

Monday, January 31, 2011

Over the last few days, I have thought so much about Grandma. And there are so many things that I remember that I think others will appreciate and remember too, especially those in the family. But I can't remember Grandma without remembering Grandpa. So these are memories of them both!! And many of the memories took place in Denbigh, always my favourite place. 1) I remember breakfasts at Grandma and Grandpa's house. There was nothing more enjoyable than visiting Grandma and Grandpa and staying for a few days. I loved falling asleep and waking up at their house. Grandma and Grandpa were early risers and when you woke up, it was to the sound of them shuffling around quietly, setting the table, starting a wood stove fire, and making breakfast. The smell of coffee and bacon was in the air. You could eat whatever you wanted. Hot cereal, cold cereal (Golden Graham's were my favourite), bacon, eggs, toast, jam. So wonderful! 2) I remember Grandma's baking. She was the best baker ever. She always had homemade cookies. Chocolate chip were my favourite. But she also made wonderful oatmeal cookies, ginger/molasses cookies with sugar on them, jam-jams, and Christmas cookies with the most wonderful icing. White and green icing with little silver balls. Whatever your favourite kind was, that's what she would make for your visit. She always made cherry cheesecake for me. She knew that I loved it and went out of her way to make sure she had that for dessert. I'm sure she did the same thing for all the grandchildren. 3) Grandma always had a treat in her purse for the grandkids and great-grandkids. I remember her saying "Bring me my purse", knowing what that meant. She would pull out Smarties or a Malted Milk bar. And I remember Grandpa taking Michael and I in his big Buick or Chrysler to the store, particularly Hartman's in Denbigh, and letting us pick a treat. Sometimes ice cream, sometimes a chocolate bar or candy (Tiny Tots), sometimes a popsicle (chocolate usually). I always thought Hartman's had the best treats, even though they were the same treats that other stores had. I think what made them so wonderful was that the treats were being given to me by Grandpa and Grandma. Often we would buy worms for fishing, too. I couldn't believe they kept worms in a fridge. Those wooden floors in Hartman's fascinated me. I'll never forget the trips to Hartman's. 4) I remember the walks. Grandma and Grandpa would always take us for walks. Whenever we asked, wherever we wanted to go. In Denbigh, we would walk to the creek. I couldn't wait to walk to that creek and look in the culvert. See if there were any fish. All that we ever saw was minnows, but it was always fascinating. Poor Grandma and Grandpa must have gotten tired of walking to the same creek to see the same thing over and over again. We also walked up into the bush in Denbigh. Through the pine woods, up the hill to the highest point, to what was the "old farm", if memory serves me correctly. We always liked going to see the Stein farm too. If we were in town, like Belleville, we would walk to the park. If it was Sudbury, we would climb the rocks. At Camp Edgewood, we would walk around the camp, sometimes up the old railway trail. In Eganville, we would walk up the road and into the bush at the end of their street. I loved walking with Grandma and Grandpa. 5) Grandma and Grandpa were always very entertaining. The grandchildren were never left to sit and do nothing. With Grandma I would help make dinner, set the table (always giving myself a plate with pink roses and a matching rose fork, knife and spoon), help with the dishes, or help with hanging the laundry (I remember that old wringer washer!!). I would assist her in the garden, picking vegetables for dinner. Grandpa would often have us help him with his work. Turning the big Gestetner (?) machine to make church bulletins and then folding them for Sunday service, or decorating the church for Thanksgiving with Grandma and whatever family was around. At Camp Edgewood, Michael and I would follow Grandpa around and help with whatever we could. I never thought this was work, but fun. I loved being with him. The grandchildren would always be trailing behind while they did their household and church chores. Both Grandma and Grandpa would take us visiting with them. We would visit relatives and friends all through the Denbigh area. I remember visiting the Steins, Uncle Arnold and Auntie Annie, Auntie Martha and Uncle Joe at their cottage, Joey and Catherine at their cottage, Auntie Adeline and Uncle Allen, and Auntie Alma and Uncle Gilbert. I'm sure there were many more, but their names have slipped my mind. Both Grandma and Grandpa would read to us if we asked. Every grandchild's favourite book was The Crazy Mixed Up Story. The best book ever!! In Denbigh, we would sit in the wooden tree swing for ages, everyday. Neither Grandma nor Grandpa ever complained about that. And it must have gotten tiresome to be constantly swinging with Michael and I in that swing!! The point is that the grandchildren were never treated as though our presence was an annoyance or a burden. We were welcomed, included and loved in every possible way, at every possible moment, by both Grandma and Grandpa. 6) I remember fishing with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa would drive us all over to fish. In Denbigh, we would go to various lakes down the road that ran alongside their property. Sometimes Grandpa would drive us way back into the bush. There would be no one else around. Just the family and a big lake. Sometimes we would drive up the highway to Bear or Big Lake (?). Michael and I LOVED fishing with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa was the wisest and best fisherman there ever was. And Grandma was great at handling the fish that we caught with Grandpa. She would beat the fish with a rock to make sure they were dead (hehe). I remember in Eganville, we went fishing down at the Bonnechere River just below their house in town. We walked down the big hill from their house to the river. I was about 15 years old. Michael caught a big fish and wanted to keep it to eat. I remember Grandma taking that fish and saying she was going to put it out of its misery. She walked to a rock and laid the fish on it and proceeded to beat the fish over the head with another rock. I was horrified. I screamed and cried all the way back up the hill to their house while everyone laughed at me! I'll never forget that. 7) I remember games. Playing games for hours and hours! Our family is a game playing family. Board games like Scrabble and Wide World (?) or card games like Hearts, Blackout Bridge, and Rummy. When we were little, the grandchildren's favourite game was Hide-N-Seek. Regardless, if any of us asked Grandma and Grandpa to play a game, they did. Enthusiastically!! Some of my favourite memories from my childhood were sitting around the table, the whole family when we would all be together, playing cards. It would get rowdy and loud, and it was so much fun. We would all have pop and snacks and the laughter was contagious. And Grandma was quite the card shark. She was a very good card player, which she inherited from her father, my Great-Grandpa Keller, who played cards by the book. Even when my family played cards in the last year or two, Grandma would say "Oh, I forget how to play this, I don't remember" and then she would beat everyone by a mile. Very clever! 8) I remember going to church with Grandma and Grandpa. I was always very proud to be the minister's granddaughter (I think pride is one of the seven deadly sins). I loved listening to Grandpa preach and speak. Nobody could deliver a sermon like Grandpa (but Uncle Doug is pretty good). And I loved sitting with Grandma listening to her sing. I even remember some of the hymns she loved. I thought that there was something so much nicer at Grandpa and Grandma's churches than at my own. I suppose it was that they were there and they weren't at my own church. 9) I remember Grandma calling me "Pubba Me Seidl". I used to call myself that when I was a toddler and I think Grandma thought that was really funny. 10) I remember all the places they lived. I remember Grandpa's school bus in Unionville and his church there. I was fascinated by the school bus. I remember the church being very old and I remember strange steps going into the basement. Not sure if they really were strange, but that's how I remember them. I remember them taking me to see the sledge get dumped from the nickel mines in Sudbury. I remember the toilet that flushed up instead of down. I remember the blue stained glass crosses in the church in Sudbury (or was that somewhere else?). I remember the little church in Belleville and walking to the park. I remember going to the base at Trenton to see the airplanes. I remember how wonderful the Camp was. It was so beautiful there and I loved that Grandma and Grandpa lived so close. I remember the family Christmases, Thanksgivings and Easters spent in the dining hall. I remember the big Victorian house in Eganville with the beautiful woodwork and the imagined hidden staircase. I remember the blue bedroom and the stairs up to the huge attic. I remember Great-Grandpa Kranz sitting in the back room watching TV. I remember the church at Augsburg and how pretty it was. I remember soooo many things about Denbigh. The gum you got on your car if you parked under the pine trees. The swing and outdoor chair Great-Grandpa built. The little door out of the basement (which had a dirt floor). The huge yard to run around in. The vegetable garden and fruit trees out back. The porch with the date written in the cement on the back of the house. The pine paneled bedroom. The wood stove. The back door from the kitchen with the window in it that I was afraid to look out of in the dark. The sound of the crickets and frogs at night. Lying under the stars in the front yard with Grandma, watching the Northern Lights. The creek. The wagon wheels that stood at the end of the driveway by the highway. Grandpa's tool shed that held his fishing tackle and smelled like cedar. The big Regulator clock and the small clock that looked like it had Jiminy Cricket in it that hung over the phone. The pictures of our Great-Great-Grandfathers. And the outhouse!!! 11) I remember going to summer camp when Grandpa was the Camp Director at Camp Edgewood. The first summer I was eight I believe. I really wanted to go to camp. But when I got there, I was desperately homesick. I cried all day and night. Even though Grandma and Grandpa lived on site, and I saw Grandpa at every meal and around the camp while he worked. But still, I wanted to go home. So they recruited Grandma to comfort me. I would go to their house and spend and hour or so with Grandma in the afternoon and then she would take me back to my cabin. She would write me letters to make me feel better and have them delivered to me. And I would write back. This went on for a couple of summers. Even though she knew how sad I was, she recognized that I needed to learn how to function. She easily could have kept me with her the entire week, but she didn't. She pushed me out of the nest each day and for that I am glad. This went on for a couple of summers. Each summer, my mom would ask if I wanted to go to camp, and I would say yes. And the day before I was to go, I would beg them to let me stay home. I eventually got over my homesickness to return to Confirmation Camp when I was fourteen or so. 12) I remember Grandpa driving us around in his big cars when we went to visit in Denbigh. Up and down the hills on the highways to visit Auntie Alma or Auntie Adeline. I loved visiting them and driving with Grandpa and Grandma to get to our destination. I loved his big cars. And I remember the story that Grandpa used to tell about Grandma and her driving. She didn't drive often, I only remember one time, when she drove us home from Auntie Alma and Uncle Gilbert's I believe. Grandpa's story was funny. When Grandma was learning to drive, she coasted down the big hill, at the intersection where you turn from the highway to Denbigh onto the highway to Eganville. She was going so fast by the time she reached the bottom of that hill that she went around the corner on two wheels! Speaking of cars, I remember Grandpa telling us the story of Al Capone visiting Quadville with his boys during prohibition. He would pull into the gas station and give big tips. And I love Grandpa's famous "gangster" picture. It shows him in his fedora wearing wing tip shoes leaning on the running board of his car. 13) I remember all the things Grandma loved. Grandma loved birds. She could name them all and knew the unique sound of each kind. Grandma and Grandpa loved watching the birds come to the feeder outside the big window in Denbigh. Grandma loved shrimp. I remember she could just about eat a shrimp ring herself. Grandma loved flowers. She particularly liked glads (her wedding flower), roses and mums. I remember lots of daisies outside the cottage too. Grandma loved her brooches. She always had a brooch on. I remember her pearl wreath brooch and her bird nest brooch. I also remember her pearls, a gift from Grandpa, I believe. She wore them everyday I think. And I remember the only ring she wore was her wedding ring, a simple gold band, nothing bright and ostentatious. Nothing about Grandma was gawdy or flashy. She was just her beautiful self. No need for baubles and beads. Grandma loved God. She was thankful for each and everyday. She lived to praise Him, and to give to others. Grandma and Grandpa love their family. Their apartment is filled to the brim with photos of everyone. 14) I remember the birthday wishes. They never forgot to send a card. And they always phoned and sang "Happy Birthday" to you. It was two things that I've always looked forward to on my birthday. And I know that Grandpa and Grandma sent many a birthday card to all their family and friends each month. 15) Finally, I remember and always will, the warm welcome I received from both Grandma and Grandpa. "Hellooo Paula". Whether on the phone or in person. When you saw them in person, you would get a huge hug and kiss. And when you left you got the same big hug and kiss with a soft "Love you, God bless" from Grandma. There was never a shortage of "I love you" from either of them. It is so nice that we have a family who is not afraid to say "I love you" to each other. I'll miss Grandma so much. But I'll always have these memories and we are all lucky to have the autobiography that Grandpa and Grandma collaborated on to pass on to the next generation. We may not be the richest family money-wise, but we are the richest family love-wise. Grandma and Grandpa have shown us how to love each other through their love for one another, over the span of more than 65 years. They have set the example for us to follow. For that we are grateful and blest. I don't know any other family that has grandparents that love each other so genuinely. Grandma's love will live on in all of us. Love you both immensely, Paula

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Cynthia and Jordan Cairns posted a condolence

Friday, January 28, 2011

Auntie Lila was a person who always had a warm aura about her. I loved seeing her and clearly remember feeling happy and good when I was with her and Uncle Don. She had the nicest hugs and it is very sad for me to know that I cannot receive another. Uncle Don, Doug, Deb, Donna and Dennis, and your families, I am so sorry for your loss. Love to all of you.

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Cathy and Michael Simunovic posted a condolence

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Dear Pastor Kranz, Debbie and family, I was so sorry to hear of your mother's death in the e-mail you sent me Debbie. Know that we hold you close to our hearts in prayer. I know of the very close and loving relationship you shared with your mother through the many conversations we shared and the stories you told. You both were indeed blessed to know and love one another. I expect that you are in Kitchener for a bit, but please call when you return to Timmins so that we can get togeher. Until then, I am sending you a warm hug and much love. Cathy, Michael, Kyle & Daniel xoxo

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Frank & Phyllis Seidl posted a condolence

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Dear Reverend Kranz and Family. We are sorry for your grief but share with you the certain knowledge that your Dear wife is indeed with God in Heaven. Frank and I had limited experience of Lila but it was enough to acquaint us with a generous, kind and warm heart. May Lila rest in Peace. Frank & Phyllis Seidl

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Angela and David Wand posted a condolence

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

To all of the Kranz family: Our deepest sympathy to you on Lila's passing. We know that she's with the Lord, but she will be missed. She was a blessing to so many people; a woman of faith, love, grace, and humour...As Lila and I shared the same maiden name of Keller, we often joked about being "cousins". She touched our lives and will never be forgotten. In Christ's love, Angela and David Wand

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Brenda Becker posted a condolence

Monday, January 24, 2011

Brenda Becker made a donation to

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Jim and Lois Brown posted a condolence

Monday, January 24, 2011

Jim and Lois Brown made a donation to With deepest sympathy

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Gerry Rasewych posted a condolence

Monday, January 24, 2011

Gerry Rasewych made a donation to During this difficult time I would like to extend my most heartfelt sympathies. If you need a friend to help you through this, you know who to call.

In loving memory of

Lila

1925 - 2011