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On Thursday, June 1, 2023, Wanda (Dietz) Craner, age 69, passed away peacefully in her home in Boyertown, Pennsylvania after an 8-month battle with cancer. Wanda touched countless lives and was a constant, unwavering presence and example of God’s love and compassion in the world.
Wanda wore many hats: devoted wife, adoring mother, compassionate and enthusiastic pastor, intuitive counselor, respected mentor, and supportive friend. She loved to laugh and brought so much joy to everyone who knew her. No matter who she befriended or pastored, she showed unconditional love and acceptance, one of her countless gifts. Despite her many professional accomplishments, she humbly and unfailingly gave the credit for her success to God. Wanda lived with humility and grace, a living example of God’s love to everyone she encountered and ministered to. Loving her daughters and watching them grow and mature into kind, caring, accomplished adults brought her the ultimate joy!
Wanda was born November 28, 1953, in Columbia, Pennsylvania to June and Ronald Dietz. She had two brothers, Wade and Jody Dietz, and a sister, Tanya (Dietz) Bracken. Wanda grew up in Spring City, Pennsylvania and graduated from Owen J. Roberts High School in 1971. She went on to get her teaching degree at Millersville University, graduating in 1975. Wanda taught science in Spring-Ford School District’s middle school before being called to ministry.
After graduating from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1986, Wanda broke new ground in the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference (PSEC) of the United Church of Christ and beyond by accepting a call to Shenkel United Church of Christ in Pottstown to be the church’s Minister of Wholeness. She credits Rev. Daniel Moser’s persistence and faith in her pastoral vision for this call which opened the door to what would become her lifelong passion: bringing healing through discernment and prayer to all who desired to be whole. She was forever grateful to her dear friend and mentor, Rev. Tilda Norberg, for her guidance and support throughout her ministry.
In 1997, Wanda was challenged to share her gifts with the wider church when she was called to be the Minister of Spiritual Nurture for the PSEC from 1997-2016. Additionally, she served as Acting Conference Minister from 2013-14. In recognition of her extensive work and talents in the area of healing ministry, Lancaster Theological Seminary awarded her the 2013 Moss Award for Excellence in Specialized Ministry.
Wanda had a gift for being with people in their deepest pain. She was a Gestalt Pastoral Care (GPC) Minister and Spiritual Director from 1986-present. Since 2016, the main thrust of her ministry was in spiritual direction and as a GPC Minister and Trainer. She loved to preach and continued to be a supply pastor when needed. She was one of the founding members of Gestalt Pastoral Care Associates, most recently serving as President.
Wanda was predeceased by her parents, June and Ronald Dietz, brother Wade, and sister Tanya (Dietz) Bracken. She is survived by her devoted husband, Steven Craner; loving daughters, Tesia Craner and Michaela Craner; loving brother Jody Dietz; nieces and nephews, and many friends and colleagues who remember her joy-filled, loving, compassionate spirit.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for July 8, 2023, at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 35 W. Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, Pennsylvania at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Shenkel United Church of Christ, 1580 Shenkel Road, Pottstown, PA 19465, or Gestalt Pastoral Care Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 140636, Staten Island, NY 10314, in memory of Wanda Craner.
Arrangements are being handled by Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home & Crematory, Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
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