Kraft, Richard "Dick" 1934-2009

KRAFT, BANTA, LEDGERWOOD

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/10/2009 at 18:33:44

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, June 9, 2009

Richard "Dick" Kraft, 74, of Le Mars, died Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center, Sioux City, surrounded by his family.

Albert Richard "Dick" Kraft was born Oct. 5, 1934, at Correctionville, the son of Albert and Jennie (Banta) Kraft. He graduated from Correctionville High School in 1954. Dick married the love of his life Schera Ledgerwood on June 3, 1956, at First Lutheran Church, Kingsley. Dick and Schera began their married life together in Sioux City, then moved to Kingsley and later to Luverne, Minn., in 1959. They later moved to Inwood, where they operated the Inwood Café.

In 1967, Dick and Schera moved to Le Mars where they operated "The Cue" for a short time. It was in the late 1960s that Dick was encouraged to take a job in an upholstery shop in Le Mars. In the early 1970s Dick and Schera established "Dick's Uphostery" in Le Mars. They later expanded with their children to offering tropical fish sales to customers and retailers in the area. Dick and Schera operated the business until retirement in 2001.

Dick and Schera had opened their home and heart to countless foster children throughout the years. Their caring and loving hearts helped to shape the lives of many youth in the area.

Dick enjoyed spending time with family, immediate and extended. He enjoyed going camping, hunting, and building furniture for his children and grandchildren. As a talented upholstery professional, he crafted several miniature couches and recliners for his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Schera of Le Mars; three children: a daughter, Debbie Fiedler and her husband Floyd of Le Mars and their children, Heather, Justin (Staci), and Zach Fiedler, a daughter Terri Brown and her husband Jeff of Le Mars and their children Coleton and Sydney, and a son Brad R. Kraft and his wife Staci of Remsen and their children, Danielle (Tom) Magnusen, Brandon R. Kraft and Autum Thoms; six great-grandchildren, Justine, Tresa, Riley, Chance, Jashua, and Kyra; a sister, Gen Clayton of Sergeant Bluff; his mother-in-law, Aneta Ledgerwood of Le Mars; two important children, Karen Jensen and DeAnn Hinckhouse of Le Mars; and many foster sons, nieces, and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Guy Ledgerwood; a sister Lucille Henderson; a brother Raymond "Bud" Kraft and his wife LaVera; a brother-in-law, Mike Clayton; and foster children, Glenn Huer, Corey Lewis, Bill Frazier, and Chris Delperdang.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars with the Rev. Duane Miesner and Vicar Ed Durand officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitations will be after 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present after 6 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitations will continue Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Justin Fiedler, Zach Fiedler, Coleton Brown, Tom Magnuson, Rick Altena, Scott Hinkeldey, Jessy Kellen, and Todd Rustman. Honorary casket bearers will his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all of his foster sons.