Gerald R. Kraft 1920-2009

KRAFT REVEL BURKE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 12/20/2009 at 01:25:27

Mapleton Press
29 October 2009

Gerald R, Kraft 1920-2009

Gerald (Jay or Jerry) Kraft, 89 passed away peacefully October 12, 2009, at his home in Sun City, Az. He was born in Mapleton, Iowa to parents George and Cynthia (Revel) Kraft on February 8, 1920 and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1938, having been a member of Future Farmers of America. He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1943 receiving the rank of Corporal with inspector Foreman G5 rating. He married the love of his life, Dorothy Burke of Brooklyn, NY., October 8, 1942.

Gerald and Dottie began their married life as farmers for a few years and then raised their family in Clifton, N.J. and later in Hayward, Ca., where he was employed by International Harvester Company. Following retirement, they enjoyed traveling and spent one year seeing the United States by camper, then retiring to Sun City, Az., where Gerald enjoyed caring for the trees and birds in his yard and pursuing his mechanical and woodworking hobbies.

Gerald loved his family very much and will be missed by everyone who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife Dottie and was the dear father of seven surviving children; sons George (Mary), Bill (Marilyn), Jay (Debbie), Glenn, John and Donald; and daughter Dorothy (Gary) Romine; blessed with twelve grandchildren, Kelly, George, Michael, Rae Lynn, Jamison, Jessie, Jerry, Ricky, Joy and Christine Kraft, Deanna Craig and Kristin Veal, and eleven great grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Frank (Hank) Kraft and Adeline Drenkhahn of Mapleton and will be remembered by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Warren, Clarence (Dutch) and Glen, and two sisters, Thelma (Sally) Christianson and Harriett (Hattie) Johnson; also by sisters-in-law Mabel, Leona, Rose and Norma Kraft and breothers-in-law Clarence Christianson, Harry Johnson and Cliff Drenkhahn.

Memorial services have been set for 10:00 a.m. on December 23, in Sun City, AZ. with interment in the National Guard Cemetery with military honors.