Mary Ann (Huffort) Kratzer passed peacefully into eternity in the presence of her Lord on August 10, 2026, at the age of 91. Mary Ann lived a beautiful life devoted to her family and Christian faith.

Born on July 3, 1935, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to James Oliver Huffort and Mary Adele (Silberman) Huffort, their only child. Mary Ann grew up on Liberty Street across from the Allentown Fairgrounds and graduated from William Allen High School in 1953. She later attended the University of Cincinnati, Otterbein College, and the Columbus College of Art and Design where she pursued her passion for the arts through her studies in painting. Art was her love-language, expressed through her vibrant paintings, her music as a gifted pianist and vocalist, and the thirteen children’s books she wrote and illustrated. Her imagination was bright, beautiful, and endless.

On April 9, 1955, Mary Ann married the love of her life Dean Joseph Kratzer and together they built a beautiful family, raising their four children across several states before settling in the Cincinnati area. Though Dean preceded her in death in 2006, the life they created together remained her greatest joy.

Mary Ann’s Christian faith was deeply rooted. Guided by her beliefs, she shared her talents generously; serving special needs students as an aide at Mason High School, and teaching art, writing, and music to inmates at the count prison. She lived her faith not only in worship but service, compassion and kindness.

She is survived by her four children: Vicki Lynn (Doug) Decker, Brett James Dean (Christie) Kratzer, Dean Patrick (Terri) Kratzer, Jill Elizabeth (Tim) Nimons. Her twelve grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Mary Ann’s legacy lives on in each of them through their faith, creativity and love she poured into each generation.

A graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery and Crematorium in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on September 19, 2026 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.