Alvina Mary Kranz

Kranz, Alvina M. (Nee Migdal) One of Alvina's biggest complaints this past winter was that she had a bad case of "cabin fever." This spring, God finally heard her pleas to not keep her "house-bound" and set Alvina's ailing body free. Alvina passed away on a warm, beautiful day, May 1, 2013. Alvina was born on April 4, 1929. Of late, she could not believe that was her age was 84 years and often would shave off or "just forget" a few of those years. In her inner self, Alvina was still a girl, the youngest daughter of Angeline and Stanislaus Migdal. She had been the "runt of the litter," the afterthought of her extra-large family (which included her deceased siblings, Monica Wichman, Sophie Borowski, Helen Ignatowski, Edward Migdal, Alex Migdal, Harry Migdal and Alvin Migdal). She truly was the "last Migdal" the end of a family dynasty. She is survived by her many godchildren, nephews, nieces, neighbors and friends. Alvina was married for fifty-seven years to her husband, the late Severin Kranz, and was the beloved mother to Douglas Kranz (who mourns her loss but counts his blessings, along with his partner Eric Hickson ). She relished being "Gram-Cat" to Douglas and Eric's cats, Chance Wayne, Bam-Bam, and Annie. Family was everything to Alvina. As Alvina's eyes and legs failed, her hobbies of gardening, crocheting, baking, rummaging and collecting were replaced by giving life advice and being a good listener. Fond of "Everything will be okay tomorrow;" "Let's just wait and see." She spent her final months at Castle Gardens Home listening to the sounds of everyday life with her newest family around her. Special Thanks: To her devoted niece, Mary Ann Rachow , for keeping Alvina on the straight and narrow and insisting that she put back some of those items at the Dollar Store. To her devoted neighbor and friend, Mary Zawikowski, who, always there for her; still insisted on calling her "Mrs. Kranz." To Vitas Hospice group who helped her transition so peacefully. To the staff of Castle Gardens Home who gave her a newfound sense of family, need, and community. May Alvina feel free to rearrange heaven as she pleases, may she move around heaven as she wishes, not shackled by earthly fences, opinions and distances. Memorial gathering on Friday, May 10, 2013 from 9:00 to 11:00AM at Blessed John Paul II Parish, St. Helen Church (3307 South Tenth Street). Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Max Sass www.maxsass.com 414-645-4992