Oswald Gene Kratzer

Oswald "Gene" Kratzer, age 84, of Phoenix, passed away on Sunday, August 27, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born in July of 1933 to the late Oswald and Madeline (Mathis) Kratzer in Downing, MO. He attended Downing High School graduating class of 1951. Gene worked in security and law enforcement. In April of 1993 he married Ruthanne Otte in Phoenix, Arizona. He was a member of United States Air Force. He served in the Korean War as military police officer, and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star. He enjoyed gardening, water sports, horses, walking and bicycling. He was a high school basketball star and was always committed to physical fitness. Gene is survived by his loving spouse of 24 years, Ruthanne Kratzer; four children: daughters, Robyn Wedelich (Hank) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Jill Hansen (Hans) of Modesto, California, Kay Saavedra of Fort Madison, Iowa and son, Kerry (Yvonne) of Phoenix, Arizona; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren; and many other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oswald and Madeline Kratzer and brother, Tim Kratzer. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 1, 2017, at the Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 E. Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85022 with a committal service with Military Honors at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona to be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gene’s honor may be made online for the Downing Depot in Downing, Missouri through https://www.gofundme.com/gene-kratzer-memorial.