| William E. (Bill) Kraft passed away
peacefully surrounded by his family at Luther Hospital in Eau
Claire on Monday, June 22, 2009. |
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He was born on May 17,1924 in Downsville, Wisconsin to William and
Lena Kraft. After graduating from Menomonie High School, Bill
enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 where he served two
years in the European Theatre. At one time during the Potsdam
Conference, he was a chauffeur to General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Upon completion of the military, he met and married his sweetheart
Catherine Reikowski, with whom he celebrated 63 years of
marriage.
Bill loved to hunt and fish and had a passion for the 30 summers
that Catherine and he enjoyed at their Minnesota cabin. He taught
many folks how to jig for walleyes and always came home with his
limit. He was kind, caring, loving, and generous to
everyone.
Bill was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church for over 50 years, a member of the Zor Shrine
A.A.O.N.M.S., Masonic Lodge 112, the Masonic and St. John's Choirs for many years, lifetime member of the VFW Post 305, the American Legion, and other organizations over the years. He retired in 1982 after 31 years of dedicated service to Northern States Power Company. |
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Survivors include his beloved wife Catherine, son Richard (Nancy) Kraft, daughter Mary (Byron) Boettcher of Eau Claire, sister Mabel Rossler of Longmount, CO, 5 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by: his parents; his parents-in-law, Fred and Catherine Reikowski; and sisters, Helen Marshalonis, Lucille Green and Lillian Johnson.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff in critical care and 3rd floor Medical Telemetry of Luther Hospital for their extraordinary care giving.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2009 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1804 Highland Ave, Eau Claire with Pastor Karen Hofstad officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services. VFW Post 305 will conduct military honors.
Friends may send online condolences to www.fullerspeckien.com. |
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