Albert Louis Kraft

Albert L. “Al” Kraft, 79 of Phoenix, Arizona formerly of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at his home in Arizona. Mass of Christian Burial for Albert will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Albert Louis Kraft was born on September 25, 1931 to Joseph and Elizabeth (Schafer) Kraft. He was raised in Devils Lake and received his education from St. Mary’s Academy. In 1949 he left for the National Guard. Albert went on active duty in the United States Army, serving with the 164th Infantry in January of 1951. He received an honorable discharge in 1952 with the rank of Corporal from the Army and the National Guard. He later went to work at the Yuma Proving Grounds in June of 1952 as a test driver for the Army for 35 years. During that time, he tested vehicles in Canada and Alaska in the winter and Death Valley in the summertime and occasionally in a few other states. Albert received a Certification of Achievement for his Professional Expertise and Dedication while performing as a member of the M-1 Abrams Tank crew. Albert married Marian Power-Seitz on May 27, 1957 while in Yuma, AZ. He later retired from the Proving Grounds in September of 1986. The couple moved to Dolores, Colorado to enjoy retirement. Marian passed away on January 30, 1999. After her passing away, Albert moved to Phoenix, AZ where he made his home at the time of his death. Albert liked to bowl, watch sports and shoot pool in his free time. He also enjoyed traveling back to his home town of Devils Lake to visit friends and family. Albert is survived by his brother, Raymond Kraft and his wife Chris of Devils Lake; nephews Terry Kraft, Steve (Tamy) Kraft, Randy (Traci) Kraft and Danny (Jennifer) Kraft; numerous great nieces and great nephews. Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Kraft; wife, Marian and nephew, Todd A. Kraft.