Ardean R. Kranzusch

Age 79, passed away at her home on Saturday, July 16, 2005. Ardean was born in Wisconsin Rapids on January 4, 1926, daughter of the late Irvien and Helida (Gagnier) Rayome. After graduating from John Edwards High School, she began working in the secretarial pool at Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids, where she met her future husband, James H. Kranzusch, whom she married at St. Alexander’s Church in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. James preceded her in death on September 24, 1986. For many years, Ardean worked as a professional secretary with a variety of employers, including the City of Appleton. During her secretarial career, she was elected as the president of the National Secretaries’ Association of Wisconsin. In her retirement, she cared for her husband, James. Following his death she began volunteering at the Appleton Medical Center, and eventually worked in the Nutrition Center. She enjoyed her work at the hospital very much and retired “again” this past July 1. Ardean enjoyed flowers and belonged to the National Rose Society, was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and held a great love for God and country. She was proud to have received her driver’s license at the age of fifty-five, and everyone knew how much she loved to drive. She will be remembered by all as an energetic, dependable, and active woman. She always made time to visit with family, friends, and everyone she met, and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ardean is survived by two sons: Frederick J. “Rick” (Patti) Kranzusch of Appleton and their children Erik M. Kranzusch and Kristin (Dan) Brellenthin; Michael J. (Bonnie) Kranzusch of Appleton and their children Kara and Phil; a daughter: Barbara S. Stillman of Milwaukee and her sons Bradley, Brian, and Brenton. Ardean also leaves behind a brother: Ray (Lola) Rayome of Portsmouth, Virginia; a sister: Dolores (Robert) Bender of Wisconsin Rapids; and two sisters-in-law: Vivian Rayome of Wisconsin Rapids and Jean Rayome of Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers Reuben and Frank Rayome, and a twin brother Ardin (Joyce) Rayome.

The funeral liturgy for Ardean will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W. Marquette Street in Appleton with Fr. Brian Belongia officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and again Wednesday at the church from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service.

With her love of life and great generosity to those she loved, Grandma is an inspiration to her grandchildren, Erik, Kristin, Kara, Phil, Bradley, Brian and Brenton. She is also very special to her “adopted” grandchildren Neal and Keith, who call her “Nana K.”

We will always cherish our memories of Grandma zipping around in her little red Tempo (her license plate was RDEAN 1) with her favorite country station playing in the background. When we went shopping with Grandma, we had to be careful not to admire anything too much, or Grandma would whisk it into the cart and buy it for us! We loved celebrating Christmas at Grandma’s. She made the most delicious grasshoppers and sea foam candy. Every year we marveled at her beautiful Christmas tree covered with roses and pink and gold ribbon. Grandma’s door was always open to us. She was never too busy to play a game of Shanghai Rummy or to take us out to dinner for a good steak.

When we gradated from high school and spread across the country, Grandma always kept us informed about each other. Even though Grandma can no longer serve as the Kranzusch family newsletter, we will always be connected by our memories of our generous, fun, spunky, and zestful grandmother. We love you so much, Grandma.

Thank you to everyone who made her life so much fun and enjoyable for the past eight years, especially all of her dear friends at the Appleton Medical Center and those at Ridgeview Highlands. Thanks also to Merna and Laura, her dear and faithful friends.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com