Randolph Paul Kraatz, Sr. was born on February 15, 1949 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Theodore and Ruth Kraatz. He went to be with his Lord on July 5, 2024 in Lincoln. Randy moved with his family to Firth, Nebraska as a child to a small acreage in 1955. He graduated from Firth High School in 1967. After graduation, Randy enlisted in the United States Air Force. He married Diane Hansen on March 11, 1971 in Lincoln. Barbara Jo was born January 15, 1972 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Randolph Paul, Jr. was born December 10, 1975 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He retired from the Air Force in 1986 earning the rank of Master Sergeant. Randy and Diane spent 18 years living from coast to coast raising their family, and he served one year in South Korea.

Randy and Diane moved their family home to Lincoln after retirement. Randy held several jobs to support his family. He started in the Maintenance Department of the US Postal Service at the Main Post Office in Lincoln. During his 20 year career he spent the majority of his time as an Area Maintenance Technician covering a large area of southeastern Nebraska. Upon retirement from the Post Office, Randy took care of his grandchildren. He always said that caring for the kids had been his best job.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Diane Kraatz of Lincoln, Nebraska; his daughter Barbara Kraatz Kozisek of Bangor, Maine; granddaughter Casondra Bulling of Seattle, Washington and grandson Sean Kozisek of Lincoln, Nebraska; his son Randy and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Mueller Kraatz from Castroville, Texas, grandson Colin Mueller of Castroville, Texas; granddaughter Madelyn Jagodzinski and her husband Joe of Killeen, Texas, great grandchildren Alice & Jamison Jagodzinski from Killeen, Texas; granddaughters Carly Jackson & Miranda Kraatz of Castroville, Texas; sisters Sheryl Kraatz Ruff of Lincoln and Wendy Kraatz Callicoat & brother-in-law Jim Callicoat of Panama, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Ted and Ruth Kraatz of Firth, Nebraska, sister Brenda Kraatz Te Kolste & brother-in-law Willard Te Kolste of Firth, Nebraska, brother Victor Kraatz & sister-in-law Linda Kraatz of Omaha, Nebraska, and brother-in-law Ronald Ruff of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Celebration of Life Reception will be announced at a later date. Memorials to the family for future designation. Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com.