E.H. "Ernie" Krenz Obituary (1932 - 2012)

Coffeyville - E. H. "Ernie" Krenz, Nowata County business owner and cattle rancher, was called to his Eternal Home on November 20, 2012. A Memorial Service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Woodland Road and Highway 75, Bartlesville, Ok, at 2:00 PM on Saturday November 24, 2012. A gathering of family and friends at Redeemer's Education Center will follow the service. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Coffeyville, KS. Ernie was born May 13, 1932, in Kingfisher, OK, to Leo and Selma (Schwan) Krenz. The Family moved to Nowata County in 1936. He was graduated from Lenapah High School and Northeastern A&M College where he excelled in athletics and was a member of the all-victorious football team of 1951. In addition to football he also lettered in basketball, track and baseball. In 2009 he wa inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. On October 8, 1955, he was married to Phyllis Ann Gartner at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartlesville, Following their marriage, they lived 18 months on the Western Coast of France in the ocean-side village of LaBaulle, where Ernie served his country in the U. S. Army Signal Corp. After completing his military service in 1957, they made their home in Kansas City where Ernie embarked on a successful career as a home building contractor. In 1971 they moved to their cattle ranch in northern Nowata County. Ernie loved raising cattle on his ranch. The Krenzes were named Ranch Family of the Year in 1980. Ernie also owned and operated the Peerless Quarries in Craig County and Nowata County. He retired from the mining business after 30 years. Ernie had a passion for life, work, and most importantly his faith and family. He was an active member of the Lutheran Church, attending Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartlesville. Formerly he attended Peace Lutheran Church in Kansas City, where he served on the Board of Elders and later attended St. Paul Lutheran Church of Coffeyville, where he served as a Trustee and chairman of the Board of Elders. He also was involved in many community activities, including the Lions Club and the Cattlemens Association. His life will live on in the lives he touched. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" II Timothy 4:7. Ernie is survived by Phyllis, his beloved wife of 57 years, son Mark E. Krenz of rural Nowata County, two daughters, LuAnn and husband Thomas Kissee, of Springfield, MO.and Kristi and husband Dr. Tony Small of Grove, OK. He has eight grandchildren, Kassi Ward and husband Jeff, Andy Krenz, Casey Krenz and wife Kelly, Weston Kissee and wife Caitlin, Ashley Knenz, Courtney Small, Blair Small, Zac Small, and great grandchildren, Oliver Ward and Harlan Ward. He is also survived by sisters, Gertie (Bob) Stager, Selma Bauer, Dorothea Whicker, Margarete (Don) Wiggins, Norma (Wayne) Doss, all of Texas City, TX, Irma Alpers, Wichita, Ks, Esther (Yates) Smith, San Angelo, TX, and brother Ed Krenz of Texas City. He was preceded in death by brothers, Leo Krenz, Jr. and Richard Krenz. The family would welcome memorials to The Lutheran Hour Ministries, 600 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141-8557. Contributions may be left with the David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.