Ronald Kratzer, 89, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away on 1 November 2025. He was a retired district superintendent who served on the Intermountain District from 1988 to 2002. He served as a minister in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
Ron was born on 4 March 1936 in Denver, Colorado, as the son of Raymond and Rosamond Kratzer. When he was two years old, his father took his first pastorate in Arlington, Oregon, followed by pastorates in Moscow, ID, and at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene in Nampa.
Ron graduated from College High School on the campus of Northwest Nazarene University in 1954, then from NNU in 1958, and stayed an additional year for his master’s program. In the summer of 1959, he married Thelma Alexander at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, with his father officiating.
Following their marriage, the couple left for Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, where Ron earned his graduate degree in 1963. While in Kansas City, Thelma taught in an elementary school.
Upon graduation, they took their first pastorate in Ritzville, Washington, where their daughter Ronda was born and where they ministered until 1967. He was then called to Baker City, Oregon, where they served for 21 years.
He served as district youth resident and 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. NNU 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 Trinity 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. He enjoyed opportunities to preach even after his retirement.
One of his passions was to challenge the youth to grow deeper in their walk with Jesus, which he did by teaching them the acronym PRO (Pray, Read the Word, and Obey). Most people who heard his preaching would remember a phrase he spoke from the pulpit.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Rosamond Kratzer. He is survived by his wife, Thelma Kratzer; his daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and Scott Walker; his sister, Jeanne Warren; 3 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration Service to honor Ron’s life will be held on 6 December 2025 at the Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, 10 a.m. Mountain Time. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com.