Elizabeth Wade Krantz

Elizabeth Wade “Libby” Krantz of Renton, WA went to be with the Lord on Aug. 17, 2015 at the age of 98. Her family and friends will miss her but cherish the memory of her love, her giving spirit, and her living faith.

Libby is survived by three sons and their wives: Ronald J. and Nancy Krantz of Los Alamos, NM, Rev. Nicholas J. and Jeanette Krantz of Tukwila, WA, and Dennis and Beckie Krantz of Gig Harbor, WA; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Reinhold J. “Jay” Krantz of Bellevue, WA, and their son David R. Krantz of Fort Collins, CO.

Libby was born on Nov. 22, 1916 in Eudora, Kansas and grew up in nearby Lawrence in a two-story house built by her father, Elmer Wade. Libby was the second of Elmer and Alma Wade’s three daughters.

She met Jay at Greenville College in Illinois, and they were married in 1937. After Jay joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, Libby traveled by train from Lawrence to San Diego, CA with David, still a toddler, so that they could be with Jay when he had shore leave.

After the war the couple moved to Redlands, Calif. Jay served on the faculty at the University of Redlands, and Libby became deeply involved in the life of her family and the community.

The family traveled to Pakistan in 1958-59, where Jay was a Fulbright Lecturer at Punjab University. Libby often commented on the poverty she witnessed. She reached out to a family living in a hut at the end of the street where the Krantz family resided and later supported a child in need through World Vision.

In Redlands Libby volunteered at the local YWCA, served as secretary at their church, and enjoyed related civic activities. But her primary focus was her family. She kept detailed family records and treasured events such as the Wade family reunions in Estes Park, Colorado.

Late in life her physical health gradually declined, but her mind remained clear. Libby prayed for family members each day; to the very end of her life she encouraged and inspired visitors with her faithfulness.

This is how the family will remember her.