LEO J. KRAFT 1927 - 2003

DORSCH, KRAFT, JUNGBLUT, STADTMUELLER, LOEFFELHOLZ, DEL CAMPO, BATTERAM, HUGHES

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 9/8/2003 at 19:21:10

Leo J. Kraft

Telegraph Herald - Monday, July 21, 2003

Leo J. Kraft, 76, of 3175 Pennsylvania Ave., formerly of East Dubuque, Ill., died at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2003, at The Finley Hospital, Dubuque, surrounded by his family.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Church, East Dubuque. Burial will be in the East Dubuque (Ill.) Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by members of the American Legion Post 787 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7976. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Miller Funeral Home, East Dubuque, where members of the East Dubuque Volunteer Fire Department will meet at 6 p.m., and there will be a parish scripture service at 7:45 p.m.

Mr. Kraft worked at John Deere Dubuque Works, Interstate Power Co., and was the proprietor of Leo Kraft Drapery.

He was born on Sept. 5, 1926, in Waterloo, Iowa, son of Leo and Tillie (Dorsch) Kraft. He married Helen Jungblut on Oct. 8, 1949, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Dubuque.

As a proud American, he served in the Air Force from 1944 to 1947.

An interest in politics and a concern for his community lead Leo to serve intermittently for several years on the East Dubuque City Council, the East Dubuque Volunteer Fire Department and the Boy Scouts. He was a lifetime member of St. Mary's Parish in East Dubuque.

Although love for community, nation and church were important to Leo, his true passion was found in his love and commitment to his family. Perhaps only those who knew Leo well saw through his gruff exterior and found a kind and gentle family man. He was able to use his sense of humor and compassion to provide a warm and inviting home for his children and grandchildren. Many friends of the family often commented on how Leo made them feel welcome in his home. He was a great man who was loved by his many friends and family.

In 1999, Leo battled with disabling kidney disorder. In a selfless act, Leo's son, John, donated a kidney to Leo. This is a perfect example of the love he shared with his family.

Surviving are his wife, Helen; four daughters, Laura (friend, Nick Fiel) and Martha (Ron) Stadtmueller, both of San Diego, Joanne (Don) Loeffelholz, of East Dubuque, and Caroline (Dr. Greg) del Campo, of Temecula, Calif.; four sons, Steve (Linda) Kraft, John (Nichole) Kraft and Jason Kraft, all of Dubuque, and Ted (Trish) Kraft, of East Dubuque; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Lorraine (Bud) Batteram, of Hazel Green, Wis., and Marilyn (Al) Hughes, of Dubuque; and a brother, Charles (Lee) Kraft, of Atlanta, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Joleen; and a brother, Robert Kraft.

A Leo J. Kraft Memorial Fund has been established.

The family of Leo Kraft would like to acknowledge a special gratitude for the fabulous care he received from Dr. John Whalen and the nurses on third and fourth floors at The Finley Hospital.