Shirley Jean (Maniez) Kranker

Shirley Jean Kranker, 94, of Arma, Kansas, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family at 5:17pm on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Arma Health and Rehab.

Shirley was born on December 29, 1930, in Pittsburg, Kanas, to Mirabeau Maniez and Elizabeth (Massoglio) Mathews. In Shirley’s early infancy, her parents moved to Longmont, Colorado and later moved to the Rio Grande Valley and resided in Santa Rosa and Harlingen, Texas. In 1935, the family moved back to Kansas, and settled in Arma. Shirley attended Arma schools and in her senior year, was Homecoming Queen, graduating in 1948 from Crawford Community High School. Soon after her graduation, she worked for Downtown Motor and Graves Studios, both in Pittsburg, KS, and she was also a bookkeeper for the Arma Elevator Company in Pittsburg.

Shirley married Rudolph “Rudy” Kranker of Franklin, Kansas, on July 8, 1950 at the First Baptist Church in Clarksville, Arkansas. They built and constructed their home where it still resides and where she lived for 75 years. She and Rudy loved dancing and playing pinochle. She was a homemaker and enjoyed raising her two sons with her husband. A beloved and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Shirley adored and cherished her family. She loved and enjoyed all family gatherings, making memories and celebrating every birthday, milestone, and holiday together. She loved cooking and baking, especially Italian and French dishes; making raviolis, potica, apple strudel, cookies, pies and decorating cakes; not to mention award-winning, made-from-scratch, cream meringue pies. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and crocheting items and blankets.

Shirley was of Methodist Faith and a member of the Christian Women’s Club, and a Gold Card Associate member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

Shirley is survived by her wonderful family she loved so dearly. Her two sons; Don Kranker and wife (Denise); Brian Kranker and wife (Mary); her four precious grandchildren Dallas Kranker and wife (Kristi); Holly Kranker; Alicia Van Gotten and husband (Garrett); Janelle Cowan and husband (Gage); and her adoring, precious seven Great–Grandchildren; Jude and Dylan Kranker; Felicity, Vincent, Leona and Arthur Van Gotten; and Corbin Cowan.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her stepfather, and husband of 46 years who passed away in October 1996.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 17, 2025, at Brenner Mortuary, with PastorTom Wehrman officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday at Brenner Mortuary preceding the funeral services. The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Harry Hynes Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg. Friends and loved ones may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary.

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