Andrew "Andy" Blake Kriner

Andrew “Andy” Blake Kriner, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on December 22, 2024, at his home in Anchorage, Alaska. He was born on February 23, 1960, in Multnomah County, Oregon. 

Andy is survived by his devoted wife, Norann Kriner; his beloved children, Drew Kriner (wife Jennē), Lucy Hollenbeck (husband Tye), and Lucas Kriner; and his cherished grandchildren, Azzur, Layton, Max, Briggs, Charley, and Redford (Mother Angie Hall). He is also survived by his loving siblings, Tony Kriner, Jay Kriner, Sam Blakeley, and Molly Poland (Blakeley), as well as his dedicated stepparents, Norman and Barbara Blakeley, and his life-long faithful best friend, Jim Meredith. He was preceded in death by his beautiful mother, Sally Hoskins.

With a passion for good food and great company, Andy was the proud co-owner/operator of Kriner's Diner for over a decade. He and his wife Norann’s restaurant remains a community staple, known for its homemade, feel-good comfort food, and welcoming atmosphere. Through the years, with their dedication to their Diner, they have been able to give back to their community in meaningful ways, generously supporting organizations like The Children's Lunchbox and Alaska’s Healing Hearts, even starting a tradition of serving free Thanksgiving dinners to anyone and everyone on Thanksgiving Day. Their collective kindness, generosity, and commitment to helping others have made a lasting impact on many. Norann is committed to upholding and continuing this honorable legacy with family through the Diner. 

Andy loved his country deeply and lived his life guided by his faith in Jesus Christ. A proud Republican with a hearty sense of humor, he was known for his quick wit and classic dad jokes that never failed to bring a smile. 

To Andy,  everyone he met was a new friend. He had an incredible gift for conversation and a genuine curiosity about people’s stories. He loved to learn where people came from, what they valued, and what shaped their lives. Whether it was a stranger in line at the grocery store or a Diner customer stopping in for a meal, Andy made time to connect, listen, and share a laugh. His warmth, openness, and knack for making others feel seen and heard showcased his generous heart and profound love for humanity. 

His greatest pride and joy were his family. Andy was a fiercely devoted family man, always ready to lend a helping hand or offer words of wisdom. Among all the people he loved, his favorite was always his dearest wife, Norann. He adored her and took every opportunity to dote on her, showing his love in both big and small ways. Whether attending his grandchildren's hockey and baseball games or simply sharing a meal around the table, he found true joy in every single moment spent with his loved ones.

A service to honor Andy’s life will be held on what would have been his 65th birthday, Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Changepoint Church, located at 6689 Changepoint Drive in Anchorage. All are welcome to attend.

Instead of flowers, contributions to honor Andy’s legacy and support the ongoing community mission through Kriner’s Diner are appreciated. Donations can be made to account #2515891-7601, under the name Kriner, at any Credit Union 1 Financial Institution.