David Kransberger

David Charles Kransberger (02/15/64 - 10/14/21) loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, teacher, coach, and friend to all went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 14, 2021. Dave was survived by his best friend and beloved wife of 37 years, Kathy (Stritzinger) Kransberger; his 6 children: Danny (Kaylee), Andrew (Claire Myers), Dominic, Tiana, Samantha and Charlie and his beloved grandson, Theo (Danny and Kaylee); his mother, Nancy; his father, Jim (Jan); his brothers, John, and Peter (Shelley). Dave was preceded in death by his dear sister, Sarah Elizabeth Kransberger. Dave found his calling in helping others and chose his career path to do just that. He received an undergraduate degree in Special Education and master's degree in administration from Grand Valley State College. His first teaching job was on an Indian reservation in Immokalee, Florida where he taught special education middle school students in an old bus garage. Dave spent most of his adult life as a teacher who inspired both his students and colleagues alike. He started the Special Education program for Cognitively Impaired students at East Kentwood High School in 1991. While he aspired to become a Principal and Special Education Director, he knew his love was working directly with special education kids, so he returned to the classroom in Kentwood. At the Freshman Campus he organized the first Unified Sports program and started the first School Sponsored Varsity Lacrosse program. Dave found passion in coaching, and he coached everything from Special Olympics to Collegiate Lacrosse. He coached at Forest Hills Central, Grand Rapids Christian, East Kentwood, and Calvin College. He was the kind of coach you wanted your children to work with regardless of their age or ability level, and he made having fun a priority. Dave was quick with joke or a sincere compliment but was tough enough to draw out the strengths of his athletes. Fellow coaches, referees, parents, and teams were drawn to Dave's fun and energetic spirit. Being on or off the field with Dave was an experience many will never forget. His passion for coaching was strong and he spent many years coaching all his children in various sports including football, lacrosse, T-ball, basketball, and soccer. Dave was also a certified Lacrosse referee and he served on many leadership boards guiding high school lacrosse in Michigan. Coach Kransberger or "Coach Dave" was more than a coach, and he influenced many lives teaching life lessons through his coaching. He lived by the mantra that "a good coach can win games, but a great coach can inspire lives." Dave lived his life by putting God first, others second, and himself last. He found strength in God and family. He was active in his church and a minister of his faith, sharing it with everyone he met. He received his pastoral license and facilitated the marriage of two of his nieces and nephews. He helped share God's love through multiple mission trips to China and Africa. The mission trip to Africa increased Dave's natural love for children and inspired him to add additional family members. He and Kathy adopted 4 beautiful children between 2016 and 2018, because he firmly believed "every child should have a family." He was incredibly proud of all his kids whether they were biological, adopted, students, or players, and he always made it a point to let them know. He loved to be surrounded by family. He always hosted family gatherings at which he enjoyed tending the grill, eating, drinking a Diet Pepsi, and making sure everyone was comfortable all while cheering on the Detroit Lions (even when they went 0-16). His sense of humor was a joy to be around, and if Dave was in the room there were smiles and laughter. Dave was the first to lend a hand and he especially enjoyed helping others with home improvement projects. He lived a life of service helping everyone from family to strangers, always asking, "what can I do to help?" Dave unconditionally loved his "beautiful wife", Kathy. From the moment they first met to his last breath; she was his soul mate. They were engaged within 9 months of meeting and married the year after. Dave was a devoted, loving husband who showed through his actions how much he treasured his wife. He spent every possible minute with Kathy, and they did everything together as a couple, or as a family with their children. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, and if you ever met Dave, you were one of his friends. A Visitation at Ada Bible Church (8899 Cascade Rd. SE, Ada, MI 49301) will be held on October 21, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The Christian Funeral at Ada Bible Church (8899 Cascade Rd. SE, Ada, MI 49301) will be held on October 22, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Contributions in Dave's memory can be made to the Special Olympics of Michigan. https://support.specialolympics.org/a/michigan?ms=IDMP_DB&utm_source=donatebtn&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=IDMP Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David Kransberger, please visit our flower store.