Kraft, Leo W. 1930 - 2012

KRAFT, BOWLES, RICHARDSON, MURPHY, WESTENDORF, MACAL, MELDE, HEAL, YOUNG, BRANN, GOTLIBOWSKI, REMSBURG, LEWIS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/18/2016 at 12:38:39

Leo W. Kraft, 81, of La Crosse, Wis, formerly of Riceville, Iowa, passed away Feb. 24, 2012, at the Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse.
He was born on May 3, 1930, in Lake City, Iowa, to Walter and Genevieve (Bowles) Kraft.
Leo graduated from Lake City High School in 1948. He served his country in the United States Army by enlisting in 1948 and transferring to the Army Reserves in 1949 until he was honorably discharged in 1954.
Leo was united in marriage to Zoan Richardson on Aug. 6, 1950, in Lake City, Iowa.
He farmed in Lake City and Dows until 1960 when the couple moved to Howard County, Iowa, where he continued farming. Through the years, he also worked for Farm Service at Davis Corners and Winneshiek Co-op, and he was a school bus driver.
Leo was a member of the Saratoga Presbyterian Church, where he served in various positions throughout the years. He had a deep faith and being a part of his church was very important to him. Leo enjoyed gardening—tending to his flowers, strawberries and raspberries. He also enjoyed traveling to Texas with his wife Zoan, going there for 15 years.
Leo loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren—watching them learn and explore their way in the world and always being there to support them along their way. His smile was never ending and he was the best dad ever.
He is survived by his wife Zoan of La Crosse; daughter-in-law Kris Kraft of Lime Springs, Iowa; children, Charlie (Roxanne) Kraft of Cresco, Iowa, Suanne Kraft of Onalaska, Wis., Kevin (Debbie) Kraft of Roxboro, N.C. and Becky (Tom) Murphy of La Crosse; grandchildren Dustin (Emily) Kraft of Rochester, Minn., Lacie (Thomas) Westendorf of Waterloo, Iowa, Drew Kraft of Lime Springs, Ethan Kraft of Lime Springs, Melissa (Dean) Macal of Rosemount, Minn., Charles (Amy) Kraft of Burnsville, Minn., Amanda Kraft of Memphis, Tenn., Daniel (Kim) Kraft of Lime Springs, Sarah (Jason) Melde of Caledonia, Minn., Kari Heal of Madison, Wis., Rowshell Young of Onalaska, Jeremy (Allyson) Brann of Roxboro, Meghan (James) Gotlibowski of Raleigh, N.C., Abbi Kraft of Raleigh, Trevor Kraft of Raleigh, Shelbi Murphy of La Crosse, Britny Murphy of La Crosse and Cody Murphy of La Crosse; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Macey, Cami, Joslyn, Adalynn, Nathan, Taylor, Chase, Andrew, Carter and three more great grandchildren to be born in 2012; siblings Betty Remsburg, Waneta Lewis, Robert (Patricia) Kraft, Gary (Merlene) Kraft, Lyle (Carolyn) Kraft, Delbert Kraft and Jerry (Sue) Kraft; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Genevieve; son Stephen; brother Ronald; son-in-law Michael; brothers-in-law Bud Remsburg and Virgil Lewis; and sister-in-law Diane Kraft.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 5, 2012, at the Saratoga Presbyterian Church in Saratoga, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, Iowa, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Burial will take place in the Saratoga Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested.
Leo was a kind man who will be missed by many. We love you, Dad!

Source: Lime Springs Herald, Feb. 28, 2012

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