Al Kraus, 92 of Maple River, died Tuesday morning at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Gary Snyder. Mass servers will be Heather Kraus and Heidi Kraus. Music will be by Barb McDermott and the Holy Spirit Choir with John Wagner as soloist. Lector for the funeral mass will be Michaela Neppel. Gift Bearers will be: Robyn Gilliland, Melanie Promes, Jenny Kraus, Michaela Neppel, Holly Varner, and Juliana Schuster. Eucharistic Ministers will be: Kathy Kraus and Kathy Rupiper. Casket Bearers will be: Jake Kraus, Chris Kraus, Casey Buck, Chris Neppel, Ben Varner, and Matthew Promes. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. on Friday where there will be a rosary at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.
The casket will be moved to Holy Spirit Church at 9 a.m. on Saturday where visitation will resume until time of the funeral mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Al’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on May 28, 1923 at Willey, Iowa, Alfred Bernard Kraus was the son of Fred and Emma (Kennebeck) Kraus. Al was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey. He spent his younger years in Lidderdale where he attended Holy Family School and was a member of Holy Family Church.
Al was married to Irene Irlmeier on November 27, 1945 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. Al and Irene farmed for 6 years in Lidderdale and in 1951 moved north of Maple River where they farmed and raised their family. He was currently a member of Holy Spirit Church and was a lifelong member of St. Francis Church in Maple River until its closing.
Al’s passion in life besides his family was farming and raising livestock; especially his Hereford cattle. He also loved to auctioneer. Al was a friend to all, and was loved by many. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, young or old. His hobbies included polka dancing, traveling, and spending time with his family and many friends.
Al is survived by his children: Bev (Mark) Vereb of Scottsdale, AZ, Tom (Chrissy) Kraus of Lacrosse, WI, Alan (Cindy) Kraus of Carroll, Dan Kraus of Maple River, and Karla (K.R.) Buck of Denison; 9 grandchildren: Robyn (Eric) Gilliland, Melanie Promes, Jennifer Kraus, Jake Kraus, Juliana (Bryon) Schuster, Chris (Jen) Kraus, Michaela (Chris) Neppel, Casey Buck and friend Amanda, and Holly (Ben) Varner; 12 great-grandchildren: Jessica, Chelsea, Nathan, Matthew, Kelsea, Keyton, Briana, Kylee, Abby, Michael, Madi, and Alexa; his brother, Merlin (Mary Lou) Kraus of Anita; his sister, Louise Owens of Carroll; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Kathy Kraus of Carroll, Merlin “Mox” (Anna Mae) Irlmeier of Templeton, and Kathleen Irlmeier of Audubon; as well as other extended relatives and many friends.
Al was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Irene in May of 2012; his granddaughter, Molly Ann Kraus; his sister, Dorothy Behrens; and his brothers, Paul Kraus and Bob Kraus.
