Virginia Kranz

Virginia Joan McConnaha Kranz died Jan. 6, 2017, in her Stockton home with her three children at her side; she was 88. Virginia was born Feb. 18, 1928, to Clyde and Blanche (Wright) McConnaha at their home in Redmon, Ill. After graduating as valedictorian from Redmon High School in 1945, she accepted an office job at Champaign County Hospital, Urbana, Ill. Tasks included providing vital statistics over the phone to a young newspaper reporter, Richard Kranz, originally from Chicago. For their first date, Virginia accepted Dick’s invitation to accompany him to an inquest he was assigned to cover. They married Sep. 3,1949, in St. Patrick’s Church, Urbana, Ill. Dick’s newspaper work led to two moves: first to Amarillo, Texas, where they lived from 1951-61 and welcomed two sons, and finally to Stockton, where Dick was hired as assistant sports editor at The Record and where their daughter was born. Virginia was active in Stockton for more than five decades. Work: Equifax credit reporting service (retired 1993 after 22 years); co-owner, Food and Fun Promotions, concessionaire for Billy Hebert Field, UOP Stadium and Spanos Center (1972-91). Community Service: Librarian, San Joaquin Genealogical Society; treasurer, Daughters of the American Colonists, Stockton Chapter; member, Daughters of the American Revolution; volunteer reading tutor, Stockton Public Library; enthusiastic booster and clipper for UOP women’s volleyball team. Social and Creative: Virginia created beautiful handwork and was active in the Tuleburg Quilt Guild and Gourmet Hookers needlework group. She loved to host meetings for her various groups at her home. Virginia was known for her good sense, ready laugh and homemade pickles. Dick Kranz died in 2002. Virginia is survived by her children David (Leslie New Kranz) of Sacramento; Jeffrey (Laura Rodriguez) of Vacaville; and Lisa (Brian Meuser) of Santa Rosa; and grandchildren Alison and Will Kranz; Nick and Jay Kranz, all of Sacramento. Virginia was particularly passionate in her genealogy work and enjoyed meeting fellow enthusiasts. Her family hopes this detailed tribute may help future genealogists track one more thread in their own family searches 100 years from now. Nothing would please Virginia more. With that in mind, contributions in her memory may be made to the San Joaquin Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 690243, Stockton, CA 95269. A memorial service is scheduled Sat., Jan. 28, 1 p.m., at DeYoung Shoreline Chapel, 7676 Shoreline Drive, Stockton. Please sign guestbook at www.deyoungchapels.com