Kristie Kranz

Kristie L. (Schafer) Kranz passed from this earthly life into her long-awaited heavenly reward on October 15, 2025 at the age of 57. In her final days, she was surrounded by her family’s fervent prayers and faithful trust in her Creator’s good and perfect timing.

Kristie was born on June 20, 1968 in Bismarck, North Dakota to Sandra Johnson and Wallace Schafer. She grew up in Underwood as the oldest of three sisters. She graduated from Underwood High School in 1986, and shortly after, married the love of her life, Clark Kranz, on June 28 at Augustana Lutheran Church. Their first son, Alexander, was born in 1990, and Kristie quickly discovered her first passion-- motherhood. Zachary came along in 1992, and her final prize, Michael, was born in 1995.

We know our gracious Lord uses our suffering to bring us to Himself, and He did just that for Kristie in December 1996. Through a tragic family situation, Kristie found herself desperate for an answer and cried out to God: this is the moment she found her Shepherd, her Savior, her Redeemer. Because of Kristie’s desperate prayers for Clark’s salvation, he also gave his life to Jesus, marking the beginning of an incredible journey of redemption and faithful perseverance. Soon after finding the Lord, Kristie decided to homeschool her children, creating in them a firm foundation with which to live their lives. For her boys, she joyfully established a childhood bursting with delicious food, camping adventures, and perfectly-designed homeschool days.

Today, all of her boys’ memories are amplified by Kristie’s laughter and joy, which were never in short supply. I hear her laughter now as I write these words, or perhaps, that’s one of her sons--her unmistakable laugh lives on in them. Kristie was a devoted “boy mom” who leaned on the Lord to protect her wild sons, and lead them into Biblical manhood. What a wonderful job she did! The faith her sons displayed during the darkest days of her sudden illness and death reflect so strongly the saving faith she built in them, a faith firmly rooted in the promises of Christ.

Clark and Kristie moved to Bismarck in 2010 and eventually became empty nesters. It was here that Kristie found another passion-- working as a CNA/CMA in assisted living. She was a gifted caregiver. And finally, we arrive at Kristie’s final passion -- her grandchildren, which have been in abundance--fourteen total. If she was with her grandchildren, it was a guarantee she was either crafting, sewing, baking, or reading. Throughout Kristie’s life, it is easy to see that God gifted her to care for others.

Kristie is survived by her faithful husband, Clark; her sons, Alexander (Tara); Zachary (Haley); Michael (Naomi); and her fourteen grandchildren: Taylor, Charlotte, Weston, Eleanor, Flint, Dixie, Carter, Gideon, Chip, Oliver, Madeline, Trace, Lyndon, Beatrice; her parents, Wallace (Mary) Schafer and Sandra Johnson; her sisters, Karin (Brian) Schmaltz and Katie Abeyta; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by Clark’s parents, Curtis Kranz and Patricia Kranz; her stepdad, Wayne Johnson; and seven unborn grandchildren, who we are confident are crafting with grandma right now.

It is beyond a shadow of a doubt that Kristie received her glorious crown, a crown offered to her by the blood of the Lamb. We rejoice that she is now with Jesus in a paradise none of us can even imagine. It was Kristie’s greatest wish that everyone come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ; the gospel is the only story she ever wanted told. Her life is very simply, a story of Him.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, October 20, at Capital Church, 3838 Jericho Rd, Bismarck.

A visitation service will be from 2-4 PM, Sunday, October 19, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A prayer service and time to share will start at 4:00 PM

Burial will be held on Monday, October 20 at Fairview Cemetery, 2929 E Century Ave, Bismarck.