Roger Kratz

Roger Kratz, age 83, of Ridgeway, IA, died on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at the Patty Elwood Center, Cresco, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at Peace Lutheran Church, 745 County St., Ridgeway, IA, with Rev. Jeff Hanson presiding. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Tuesday morning. Roger was born on December 17, 1929 in Winneshiek County to Herbert and Gladys (Hovden) Kratz. He was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, IA. He grew up on his parent's farm between Ridgeway and Cresco and attended Cresco High School where he graduated in 1948. He attended college for a short time and then moved back to the Cresco area where he helped his father farm, while also driving a truck delivering livestock, grain and milk. At a dance in Spillville, IA, he met a woman who changed his life, Patricia Hover. He fell in love and the two were married in January 1953 at the Madison Lutheran Church of Ridgeway, IA. They moved into the town of Ridgeway where he continued to drive a delivery truck. A few years later, the Winneshiek County Engineer's Office hired him and he worked there for many years as a surveyor. One of his projects involved designing and planning the small roadside park off Highway 9 on the east edge of Ridgeway. In 1966, Roger and Patty bought the Ladwig Hardware Store, renaming it Kratz Hardware. Additionally, during this time he worked as a plumber and electrician. After eight years they took a leap of faith, and by combining hard work with determination, Roger and Patty turned their hardware store into a restaurant. During 1974 they opened the Kratz Koffee Kup, going from days filled with tools and paint to a new life of eggs-over-easy, noon specials and of course, coffee. Roger continued to work as a plumber and electrician while helping Patty in the restaurant until 1978 when he took a job in the maintenance department of the Winneshiek County Hospital in Decorah, IA. He worked there until his retirement in 1994. He enjoyed working with his hands and creating, especially painting landscapes and carving. He also took great pleasure in fishing and hunting, particularly elk hunting in the mountains of Montana. As his children married and moved away, he enjoyed traveling to various parts of the United States visiting them and his grandchildren. Roger is survived by his wife Patricia and three children: Gary (Jodee) Kratz of Farmington, MN; Nancy (wife of Commander Michael) Reddix of Colorado Springs, CO; Timothy (Suzanne) Kratz of Spring Branch, TX. He has eight grandchildren: Laura Kratz of Farmington, MN; Eric (Stephanie Mimikos) Kratz of Orlando, FL; Kevin (Elizabeth) Kratz of Oslo, Norway; Kyle Kratz of Farmington, MN; Emily Reddix of Manhattan, NY; Jonathan Reddix of Denver, CO; Brian (Holly Hargrove) Kratz of Austin, TX; Daniel Kratz of Houston, TX; and one great granddaughter, Jordana Mimikos-Kratz of Orlando, FL. He also leaves behind a brother Alan (Robin) Kratz of Valier, MT; and five brothers-in-laws: Edward (Charilyn) Hover; David (Joan) Hover; Dale (Mary) Hover; Randy (Lori) Hover; and Mark (Jean) Hover. In addition, there are two sister-in-laws: LaDean Briesler and Vicki (Gary) Sovereign; a stepmother-in-law, Norma Hover, her son Alan Greene; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, Herbert and Gladys (Steinmetz) Kratz, his stepfather Elmer Steinmetz, and his brother Duane Kratz. His mother and father-in-law maurice and Agnes Hover and two brothers-in-law Donald Bresler and Quintin Hover. With affection, we will remember Roger for his sense of adventure and fun, his quick smile and love of a good joke, his fondness for the outdoors and the pride he felt toward his family. He will be missed and warmly thought of by family and friends.