Michelle Rene Kranz

On Friday, February 10, 2023, Michelle Rene Kranz, loving wife of Dan Gottas, devoted sister of Tracy Nicotera, adoring Aunt of Alex Nicotera, and great friend to so many, passed away at 58 due to complications from a rock climbing accident in June of 2022. Michelle was born on 4/19/64 in Hillsboro, Oregon. She was the daughter of Dennis B. Kranz and Judy Kranz.

Michelle's love of athletics started early in her life with gymnastics at the age of 10. She competed throughout her high school years and went on to attend University of Montana on a gymnastics scholarship. She later transferred to San Diego State and graduated in business administration.

Her love of fitness and athleticism led her to a career in the outdoor industry as a product manager. She worked for Nike, Kelty, Case Logic, GoLite, and Spyder Active Sports. After working for corporate America, she left and was excited to become an entrepreneur. Her first business was a women’s handbag business called Flying Daisies, which was launched in 2008. In 2012, she started a rock climbing chalk bag business called Pure Grit Climbing.

During her time at Nike in Portland Oregon, she discovered her passion for climbing. Eventually this love would bring her to Boulder Colorado, where should would build a network of amazing friends in the climbing community. There she met Dan, a moment she described as “love at first sight”. In addition to climbing, she loved running, hiking, backcountry skiing, and backpacking. Being outdoors, preferably in the sunshine, was life to her and she couldn’t get enough. She seeked out athletic adventures all around the world, from the Western U.S. to the Himalayas, with a multitude of destinations in between.

In the past 10 years she picked up the hobby of photography, and in her typical fashion, she excelled at it. She traveled to Antartica, Africa, Alaska, Wyoming, Iceland, Costa Rica, South America, India, Nepal, Indonesia, and Dominican Republic to practice her photography skills. Gorillas always had a special place in her heart, and recently she won grand prize for her portrait of a gorilla in Kigali National Park. All of these can be seen on her website, Michelle Kranz Photography.

Most importantly, Michelle loved her family and friends. She was someone who motivated and inspired others to push beyond what they thought they could do. She was strong, silly, fun, creative, and possessed an iron will. Her energy and enthusiasm rallied her friends for whatever adventure lay ahead.

Michelle is climbing high to the heavens now, making lists of places to see and things to do. We can hear her telling all of us to “live life fully!”

Until we meet again....

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the Kranz family.