Amanda Jane Krantz
Amanda Jane (Mandy Gallo) Krantz of Urbandale, Iowa, beloved wife of Paul, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. Her sudden and unexpected passing was the result of a pulmonary embolism. Mandy was born in 1954, the daughter of Armand Joseph Gallo and Rose Olive Gallo, in Bridgeport, Conn. In 1972, she graduated from Ridgefield High School, where she was awarded two scholarships, the State of Connecticut Scholarship and the Rotary Club Scholarship, which she used to attend the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Mandy earned a B.A. degree in Urban Studies in 1976.
In 1978, Mandy moved with Paul to Des Moines, Iowa, where she worked at Principal Financial (then Bankers Life Insurance Company) until leaving the workforce to care for their two young sons, Jeff and Glenn. When her children were older, Mandy completed a nursing degree program at Des Moines Area Community College, earning a registered nurse license. Using her nursing knowledge and expertise, Mandy devotedly cared for both her parents during each of their terminal illnesses, providing them with a loving and nurturing end-of-life experience. Mandy will always be remembered for her gentleness, her attentive listening and thoughtfulness, and her deep love for her husband and children. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt, and a loyal and steadfast friend. In recent years, Mandy showered Ayla, her cherished granddaughter, with a similar love and devotion.
A member of Plymouth United Church of Christ of Des Moines for many years, Mandy rejoiced in singing with the choir and in her faith. She also had a passion for baking and cooking. Especially in the kitchen, Mandy was at the heart of many wonderful memories. Her gourmet holiday dinners, pies, cookies, and cakes were fabulous.
Mandy is survived by her husband Paul, two sons, Jeff and Glenn, Glenn’s partner Nicole Goode and daughter, Ayla, as well as two brothers, Alex Gallo, of Eugene, Ore., Matt Gallo and his wife, Linda LeBaron, of Newport, Ore., one sister, Lory Gallo and her partner, Mary Garsia, of Brooklyn, N.Y., one sister-in-law, Laurie Brown, of Seattle, Wash., and two nephews, Alex and Noah Gallo-Brown. Mandy was preceded in death by her parents, Armand and Rose, and her brother, Nick Gallo.
Public visitation services for Mandy were held on October 5 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines. Her funeral service took place on October 6 at Plymouth United Church of Christ, Des Moines, Iowa. Donations in Mandy’s memory may be made to the Foundation of Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.