Robert Lee Kraning, (1933 - 2020) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Dad's Celebration of Life was amazing!
Thanks to all of you who came and the hundreds who watched online.
If you were unable to attend, here is the link. https://vimeo.com/560137163/e38bf0c355

This memorial website was created in memory of our father, Bob Kraning, born on April 7, 1933 and graduated to Glory on April 5, 2020 - 86 on earth, 87 in heaven.

For many Dad was a wonderful story teller. For others he was a pastor and a leader. Through 50 plus years of ministry - youth found Christ, marriages were strengthened, families grew closer, and churches were healed and restored after being broken and scattered. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and a genuinely good man... and he was our Dad. Dad to his 2 boys Kent and Kevin, dad to his daughters-in-love, Robin and Shelley, Grandpa to 9 and Great-grandpa to 9 more. He loved us all unconditionally and prayed for us by name every day. But above all else, he loved our mom with all his heart. He was her only love, a faithful friend and her life partner for over 60 years.

We KNOW he is in heaven with Jesus whom he unashamedly proclaimed and loved, but we still dearly and deeply miss him.

We know who he was to us, but we would love to know what he meant to you. Please use the section below or the "stories" tab above to share your thoughts and memories and upload photos if you wish. Thanks in advance for your many prayers and the encouragement to our family through your words.

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April 15, 2020

Bob was a genuine person, not only in his faith but with his life and love for Carol. I always enjoyed talking with him. He was great at making you feel like you were the center of his attention when you spoke with him. His preaching was definitely a gift as he would draw you into his message of God's love for you and salvation. Carol and Bob were a great married team! It was evident in their serving together and the way they communicated with each other and looked at each other. Bob, you will be greatly missed! "Well done thy good and faithful servant!" <3

April 15, 2020

One of the great joys of my life was joining EV Free choir and singing with Carol under Howie's direction, worshipping in the choir loft behind Chuck and then Bob during his interim, and ringing handbells with Carol under Marilyn's leadership. The most joyful memories were events with Bob, Paul, Howie, and Chuck, laughing together. I had gone thru a stressful time, was single with 3 teens, and the joy they brought me reminded WHOSE i was, a child of the King, and helped heal my wounded soul! I loved all 4 of those wonderful leaders and the lovely ladies they were married to! I feel blessed that i could know them all. Carol, my prayers now are with you as you miss this wonderful man, remembering how blessed i have been to know you both.

April 14, 2020

It is impossible for me to think about Forest Home without thinking (in very fond ways) of Bob. God used him in the lives of many, but my most vivid memories are of him laughing hysterically. For some reason I always remember Bob smiling or laughing at something. He not only "finished well", he also lived well (and enjoyed the ride). Soli Deo Gloria!

April 14, 2020

To all the Kraning's out west, from Brighton ,In., where Bob's roots were, growing up as a youngster(in the 40's) untill he left for Bob Jones Universary,after graduating with his class of1951. His father was Brighton School Principal,1945-69,& he was my Social Study,& Indiana History & Bible History teacher. Arlene taught in lower grades. They would of been so thankful & very Proud of what their son made out of his life, serving the Lord Jesus in many ways, moving on out west, A Life well Lived for his family & God's Glory. Live on your Loved ones good Memories.

April 14, 2020

When my son James was a small boy he was at Forest Home a lot because of my involvement there. He said to me once, "Dad, when I grow up I want Bob Kraning's job here at Forest Home." (At the time Bob was the executive director at Forest Home). I asked James what he thought Bob Kraning's job was at Forest Home? Without missing a beat he said confidently,"He sings Happy Birthday to people in the dining room at lunch-time!"

April 14, 2020

Bob was the face of Forest Home to me when I was a child. As an adult, he became my friend. His love for Carol and the boys is something I long to emulate.
Thank you for always pointing us to Jesus.

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Recent Tributes

April 5, 2023

Bob was an amazing man and mentor. My late wife and I met on April 5, 1980 and we spent every summer in the 80's at Forest Home getting to Know Bob, Carol and the dedicated staff at Forest Home. I dedicated my life to Christ at Billy Graham Rock by the lake in 1980. The best move of my life. I look forward to meeting again when the Lord is done with me here!
In His Grip!

June 30, 2021

We have to agree with so many others comments. I loved my time at Forest Home under Bob's leadership and felt blessed by having him as a mentor. Bob married Kim and I in 1982 and he counseled us a few times in the short amount of time between engagement and wedding, 4 months. Kim and I felt blessed that Bob trusted and believed in us and our commitment to marriage. He and Carol were great example in so many ways. Bob also communicated clearly that Forest Home was a ministry to the guests and staff alike. Praying for God's comfort and peace for Carol and all the Kraning family. David and Kim Noble

June 10, 2021

I met Bob as a 15 year old on my first visit to Forest Home when my dad came on staff. He made me feel a part of FH from the very beginning as I came "up the hill" to work on weekends and later summer staff. I was on the high school trip to Catalina with "Broad" Terry Broad, and remember Bob calling out to her and us all laughing. Bob loved Jesus and he loved his faith and had fun living it. How great to experience that as a teenager in someone you looked up to. He had a great laugh, a big smile and was a wonderful leader. I remember him telling us at camp his favorite verse "At Parbar westward four at the causeway and two at the parbar" 1 chronicles 26:18 KJV in Hormel Hall with all four verses of How Great Thou Art right behind him. Bob, you made me laugh, and smile too and be happy I was making a commitment to the God of the universe who could laugh and smile too. Though I lost touch with FH in 1974, I'm sure you finished well and I'm blessed to have these impressionable years of my life touched by you. See you someday soon. (Carol I remember your wonderful kindness and smile too and Kent, football at YHS I think-how great that you have impacted so many thru your ministry too) Taryn (Olson) Derke

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Gallery

Special day with Bob marrying us. 5.2.82 David and Kim Noble

Your Arkansas family is missing you today! Happy Birthday.

Going fishing for a week: Joe Davis,RogerStull,Mac,Paul Sailhamer,BOB,Chuck Swindoll & Howie Stevenson!

for ALL SAINTS DAY 2020: Bob 1933-2020 & Slev 1930-2020

Bob spoke at The Firs Chalet at Mt. Baker in the mid 70's, a friend at CCI from then on

Bob filled so many needed spots on the Fullerton Free Pastoral Team during his years serving there: Men's Ministry, Evangelism, Business Office, Preacher, Counselor, Mentor, Pastor Emeritus.

Bob and Carol with Luke Zamperini at a special screening of part 2 of the Louis Zamperini story. Luke is Louis' son.

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His Life

Unforgettable - Nat King Cole 1951

April 8, 2020

Bob Kraning was born in 1933 and grew up near Howe, Indiana. He was the only child of Robert and Arlene Kraning. His mother was a teacher and his father was the Principal and basketball coach of the local high school. In High School Bob served in student government and played basketball. He graduated with a class of 9 students in 1951.

After graduation Bob enrolled at Bob Jones University in South Carolina, graduating in 1955. After college, Bob was called into ministry with Youth For Christ in Kansas City, MO.

Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis 1957

April 8, 2020

In Kansas City, Bob fell in love with and married the prettiest girl in town, Carol Van Sandt. In 1957 they headed west to work with Youth for Christ (YFC) in Los Angeles. Bob’s office was in Hollywood on the Sunset Strip! Bob ran YFC clubs for 21 schools in the San Fernando Valley.

In 1959 their 1st born, Kent, arrived in Los Angeles. Then Roy McKeown offered dad an opportunity to start YFC in Utah. With Kent and Carol in tow, in 1961 Bob headed for Salt Lake City, to begin ministry there. Bob found it was much harder to generate enthusiasm for clubs in Salt Lake so they decided to bring in prominent sports figures to speak and also show Billy Graham films - this generated new energy and enthusiasm. He also worked hard to unify the Christian pastors throughout the city.

I Will Follow Him - Little Peggy March 1963

April 8, 2020

In 1963 The Three Kranings returned to California, this time to minister in the Long Beach-Orange County YFC program. Bob and one other YFC club director trained leaders and oversaw campus YFC programs in dozens of high schools from Corona Del Mar to Torrance and everything in between, including an "outlier" club in Victorville. He and the Executive Director, Jerry Klippert, also put on a YFC Rally every Saturday night, alternating between Long Beach and OC. To help, Bob mentored two young guys right out of high school who had been in the YFC program as student leaders: Avery Powers and Paul Sailhamer.

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Remembering Dad

April 7

Hard to believe you would have been 91 today. Miss you so much dad.

April 7

God bless you all as you celebrate and remember a man who FINISHED STRONG.

Never Really Gone

April 7

Happy Birthday, Dad! Heading to Catalina tomorrow with Robin and Mom in honor of you. Miss you!

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