Thelma Lorraine Kratzberg

Thelma Lorraine Riblett Kratzberg of Fort Smith passed from this life on April 7th, 2014 in Fort Smith. Thelma was born October 11th, 1936 in Greeley, Kansas. The second child of parents, Lawrence Wayne Riblett and Alta Ann (McCarty) Riblett. She was a 1954 graduate of Greeley High School. She married Gerard Francis “Jerry” Kratzberg on May 27th, 1954 in Iola, KS and they were happily married for almost 60 years, until he passed from this life on June 28th, 2013. She worked for many years at Butterfield Trail Newstand on Garrison Avenue. She was a homemaker and readily joined in the activities that the rest of her family were involved in. In earlier years, her house was the meeting place to play checkers, monopoly, croquet, badminton, or most any other games. In later years, she enjoyed watching sporting events and game shows. She also very much enjoyed feeding and watching her beloved birds. She enjoyed the simple life and on a rare occasion, would dine out. Thelma was extremely frugal and truly lived her life one day at a time. She was extremely proud of her family and spent many hours watching over her son and her grandchildren. She is survived her son Donnie Kratzberg and wife Peggy; and two grandchildren Anthony Joseph “AJ” Kratzberg and wife Katie, and Karrie Michelle Kratzberg; and her great granddaughter Allie Kate Kratzberg; her brothers Loren Eugene Riblett and wife Rosella of Salina, KS and Oscar Gene Riblett of Wichita, KS; Sister-in-law Elsie Kratzberg of Greeley, KS: Sister-in-law Lois Jeannette (Kratzberg) Miller of Idaho Falls, ID: and brother-in-law Ronald Harold Kratzberg of Emporia, KS; and many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence Wayne Riblett and Alta Ann (McCarty) Riblett; and her husband Gerard Francis “Jerry” Kratzberg. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday April 11th at Edwards Funeral Chapel with Father Jon McDougal officiating. She will be laid to rest immediately after at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. A visitation will be held at Edward’s Funeral Home Thursday evening April 10th from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. Memorials may be made to Saint Boniface Catholic School, 1820 North B Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.