EMIL C. KRAFT SR.

Emil A. Kraft Sr. 80 of Devils Lake and St. Michael, ND entered his path to heaven on Saturday, April 20, 2013 with family by his side. He passed away at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, April 26, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Emil will be laid to rest beside his wife in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery later in the spring. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. 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. Emil’s grandsons, Richard W. Kraft, Daniel Kraft, Christopher Eschbach, Matthew Eschbach, Carl Zeltinger, John Zeltinger, Nicholas Kraft and Austin Kraft will serve as Casket Bearers. Reading the Scriptures will be Debra Zeltinger and Evan Zeltinger and Gift Bearers will be Emil’s granddaughters, Jennifer Seeman, Natalie Eschbach and Katie Zeltinger. Music will be provided by Jodi Kurtz. Emil was born on June 22, 1932 at St. Michael, ND to John and Alysia (Sander) Kraft, the fifth of eleven children. Emil was drafted into the United States Army in 1956 and served until 1958, then served with the Army National Guard from 1958 to 1966. Emil married the love of his life, Catherine M. Bingham on June 22, 1960 at St. William’s Catholic Church in Maddock, ND. They established their home in Lakewood and they were the proud parents of six children. Catherine entered her path to heaven on November 30, 1991. Emil worked as a cement finisher for Risovi Construction which later became Kurtz Construction for 25 years and then for Lake Ready Mix for 21 years, before retiring in June of 2008. Emil was a member St. Michael’s Catholic Church and life member of the Knights of Columbus. Emil is survived by five of his six children and their spouses; Emil and Wynell Kraft Jr. of Maddock, ND, Debra and Evan Zeltinger of Kenmare, ND, Allan J. Kraft of Colorado Springs, CO, Mary Jo Eschbach and Richard and Bridget Kraft all of Devils Lake; eleven grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer and Troy Seeman, Richard W. and Melinda Kraft, Daniel and Heather Kraft, Natalie (Eschbach) and Matthew Savill, Christopher and Samantha Eschbach, Matthew Eschbach, Carl Zeltinger, John Zeltinger, Katie Zeltinger, Nicholas Kraft and Austin Kraft; five great granddaughters, Alissa Seeman, Courtney Seeman, Aubrie Kraft, Burkley Kraft and Alexis Eschbach; five brothers, John Kraft, Peter Kraft, Joe C. and Cecelia Kraft all of Devils Lake, Louie P. and Phyllis Kraft of St. Michael and Mike and Kathy Kraft of Devils Lake; sister, Ann and Fred Bingham of Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Emil is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Catherine; infant daughter, Catherine Dawn; brothers, Tony, Sebastian and Frank Kraft; sisters, Elizabeth “Liz” Matthews and Mary Kuntz.