Donna Ford Kranz, age 71, of Cadiz, Kentucky, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at her home in Cadiz.
Born on December 22, 1954, in Russellville, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Loyd W. Ford, Sr. and Norma (Paris) Younger.
A proud alumna of Christian County High School, Donna pursued higher education at the University of Kentucky, where she earned advanced degrees in History and Education. For 27 years, she dedicated her life to educating young minds as a teacher at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and Trigg County High School. Mrs. Kranz was a passionate teacher, a mentor, and an advocate for her students and the education system at large, always striving to make a difference in the classroom.
Donna married Patrick “Butch” Kranz on June 6, 1980. She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and served in various local organizations. An active member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Donna’s loyalty and enthusiasm for the Kentucky Wildcats were well-known, particularly her spirited devotion to the basketball and football teams. She was an avid volunteer, dedicating her retirement years to serving at Trigg County Primary and Intermediate Schools, where she continued to share her passion for education with young students.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Linda Ford Waters and her brother Loyd W. Ford, Jr.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 46 years, Patrick “Butch” Kranz of Cadiz, her sister Debbie Ford Rambo (Todd) of Waco, Georgia, her nieces Lindsey Caruthers (Adam) and Whitney Waters, and her nephew Alex Ford.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 902 E 9th St, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, with Father Emmanuel Udoh officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Green Hill Memorial Gardens (Ancestral Haven).
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, 902 E 9th St, Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240.
Arrangements are being handled by Goodwin Funeral Home, Inc., 138 Main Street in Cadiz.
