Stephen William KRALING

KRALING, ERSLAND, HELGESON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/18/2016 at 00:31:17

June 14, 1940 --- February 15, 2016

GOODELL -- Stephen William Kraling, 75, passed away on Feb. 15, 2016, in the Belmond Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, Iowa. Stephen was born June 14, 1940, the first of three children born to William and Margaret Kraling of West Concord, Minnesota. Upon his graduation from high school, Stephen enlisted in the Navy in 1958. After completion of his basic training and advanced training as a radioman on the Navy's P2V-Neptune reconnaissance aircraft, he was stationed at various Naval Airbases in California, Alaska as well as overseas during the Vietnam War. While serving his country he was awarded the following commendations: Vietnam Service medal, Navy Good Conduct medal, to which he was awarded this twice, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service medal, and National Defense medal. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1967, achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.

He was married in 1969 to Roberta Ersland of Belmond, Iowa. To this union was born two sons. He divorced in 1982 and never remarried.

He had numerous jobs over his years, including electrical lineman, business owner, and foreman of the Specialty Vehicle Department of Winnebago Industries in Forest City, Iowa. Throughout his life, he was an avid and well respected gunsmith and leather smith. His main focus was muzzle-loading rifles as well as handguns and rifles of the old west.

Visitation will be on Saturday, Feb. 20, beginning at noon at Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, Iowa. A memorial service with the Rev. Dawn Pederson of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating for friends and family will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Full military honors will be provided by the Belmond Military Unit. Graveside memorial will be held at a later date. Those wising to send an expression of sympathy through a card or memorial in Stephen's name may direct them to Stephen Kraling Family, P.O. Box 157, Lake Mills, IA 50450, or to the NRA in Stephen Kraling's memory.

Stephen was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Kraling (Helgeson), and father, William Kraling, both of West Concord, Minnesota. He leaves behind two sons, Eric Stephen Kraling and wife Dr. Angela Kraling of Des Moines, Iowa, Joshua Stephen Kraling and wife, Julie Kraling of Huxley, Iowa, along with four granddaughters, Molly, Loretta, Avery and Mackenzie. He also leaves behind his best friend of several years, his black Lab Peaches, along with the following dear friends: Don Wheatley and wife Debbie of Lake Mills, Iowa, Marion Johnson and wife Marcia of Garner, Iowa, and Nels and Ellie Stumo of Goodell, Iowa. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA

Mason City Globe Gazette --- Mason City, IA
February 18, 2016