Dr. Ron Kratzer, 89, of Nampa, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Nov. 1, 2025. A Celebration Service to honor the life of Ron will be held at 10 AM on December 6, 2025, at the Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, 1421 6th St. So. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So where an online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

Ron was born on March 4, 1936, in Denver, CO, the son of Raymond and Rosamond Kratzer. When he was two years of age, his father took his first pastorate in Arlington, Oregon followed by pastorates in Moscow, ID and Nampa First Church of the Nazarene in Nampa. Ron graduated in 1954 from College High School on the campus of Northwest Nazarene University and then graduated from NNU in 1958, staying an additional year for his Master's program. That summer he married Thelma Alexander at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene with his father, officiating the wedding. Following their marriage they left for Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri where Thelma taught elementary school while Ron received his graduate degree, graduating in 1963. Upon graduation they took their first pastorate in Ritzville, WA where their daughter Ronda was born and where they ministered until 1967. He was then called to Baker City, OR where they spent the next 21 years in ministry. He served as District Youth President and served on the Board of Regents at Northwest Nazarene University for 30 years. Throughout his ministry he directed youth camps and was a camp and revival speaker. His Alma Mater conferred on him the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. In 1988 he was elected as the Intermountain District Superintendent and witnessed the development of the beautiful campground at Trinty Pines. In 2002 he officially retired but shortly thereafter was offered a staff position at Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene where they spent the next 13 years. Once he retired for the last time, he still enjoyed opportunities to preach.

A great passion of his was to challenge the youth to grow deeper in their walk with Jesus. One of the ways that he did this was to teach them the acronym PRO, which stands for Pray, Read the Word and Obey. Most people who heard his preaching remember a phrase he spoke from the pulpit.

Dr. Kratzer is survived by his wife, Thelma Kratzer; his daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and Scott Walker; 2 granddaughters, twins, Brianna and Mikayla and a grandson, Nicholas; a number of nieces and nephews and a sister, Jeanne Warren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Kratzer.

His life verse was Proverbs 3: 5 & 6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Trinity Pines Camp and Conference Center, 55 SW 5th Ave, Ste 100, Meridian, ID or the Ronald and Thelma Kratzer Ministerial Scholarship Fund at Northwest Nazarene University, 623 So. University Blvd., Nampa, ID 83686.

To live stream the service: CLICK HERE