Betty J. Kraker 1932-2011

KRAKER DREYER BOOKER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/24/2012 at 11:41:32

Sioux City Journal
June 15, 2011

Betty J. Kraker, 79, of Sioux City died Friday, June 10, 2011, at a Sioux City nursing home.

Private family graveside services will be at a later date. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Dan Guenther officiating, at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Betty was born Feb. 16, 1932, in Hannibal, Mo., the daughter of Richard and Nellie (Dreyer) Booker. She was raised in Hannibal and graduated from Hannibal High School.

After graduation, she joined the U.S. Air Force, where she met and married her husband, Leonard Kraker, on Dec. 12, 1953, at McClellan Air Force Base near Sacramento, Calif. Leonard being in the service, the couple lived on several bases around the United States and overseas. The family moved to Sioux City in 1971, where they started the Pik-n-Pak convenience store chain and later the Zip Marts stores.

Betty was a member of the Church of the Nativity. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She had a fondness for animals, caring for many family pets.

Survivors include her husband, Leonard; a daughter, Bonnie (Chris) Nicholas of St. Louis, Mo., and their children, Jessica and Sarah; a son, Lenny (Shelly) Kraker of Sioux City and their children, Michael and Kory; a brother, Harold (Nancy) Booker of Hannibal; three sisters, Beverly Welch, Edith Booker and Marie Cash, all of Hannibal; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and two sisters.