Oliver Krannawitter passed away at the Salina Medical Center at the age of 69. He was born in Hoxie, Kansas to the late Al and Isabelle (Berens) Krannawitter on November 12, 1948. Oliver was born into a large loving family and sixth of ten children. Oliver attended the Hoxie Grade and High School and graduated with the class of 1966. He went on to attend college and earned a Master’s Degree from Fort Hays State University. Oliver was a farmer and taught school first in the Grinnell School District and then in the Hoxie School District from1986 until he retired from education in 2003. He never retired from farming.
He married Mary Ellen (Wachendorfer) Bruggeman on November 30, 1991 in Hoxie, Kansas. As Oliver recently said, “Mary, we’ve had twenty-six good years and a good life”. They traveled and enjoyed taking their family to Las Vegas and many other places over the years.
Oliver was a member of the Hoxie Elks, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. Oliver was a big old softy who shared his love of life with everyone he knew. He was also a rough old farmer with calloused hands and the heart of a college wrestler. He had a way of making everyone feel special. As a teacher, he was a champion of the underdog, someone who made you believe in yourself and was an inspirational and great mentor. Oliver greeted people like they mattered, hugged them, then went home to post on Facebook about how much he had enjoyed running into them. His shop, walls covered with pictures of family and friends, was a place of laughter and a listening ear. He had a gift for helping you sort through life and move forward through the tough times. His family and his grandchildren were the sparkle in his eye. A rare man, his light will continue to shine through all the lives he touched.
Oliver is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; his daughter, Eva Gavin and husband Brian of Overland Park, Kansas; step-daughters, Jessica Alles and husband Brandon of Olathe, Kansas, and Cindy Pfeifer and husband Keith of Hays, Kansas; step-son, Bryan Bruggeman and wife Michelle of Shawnee, Kansas, sisters, Joann Mosier and husband Larry of Sargent, Nebraska, Donna Mae Giersch and husband Marvin of Durango, Colorado, Eloise Sramek and husband Jim of Banner Elk, North Carolina, Ruth Meier and husband Gary of Hoxie, Kansas, Dorthea Mauck and husband Rex of Longwood, Florida, and Mary Lou Krannawitter of Dallas, Texas; brothers, Arthur “Art” Krannawitter and wife Cheri of San Francisco, California, Kenneth “Ken” Krannawitter and wife Paulette of Russell, Kansas, and Richard Krannawitter and wife Shelia of Colby, Kansas, and thirteen grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Isabelle Krannnawitter.
A Funeral Service is planned for Friday, January 19, 2018, at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church of Hoxie with burial to follow in the St Frances Cabrini Cemetery. A visitation will be held Thursday, January 18, 2018 from 10:30 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. with family receiving friends from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial to the Hoxie Grade School Playground Fund.
A quote described Oliver’s philosophy of life. He thought life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved and beautiful body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly saying “Wow! What a Ride!”