PAUL KRAFT

Paul Kraft, 68 of St. Michael, ND passed away on Sunday, October 05, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Mass of the Resurrection for Paul will be held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND with Father Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass. Reader will be his granddaughter Katie Papachek. Gift bearers will be his grandchildren Kelsey Papachek, Connor McKay and Jayden Kraft. Paul will be laid to rest in St. Michael’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, October 9th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Paul was never one for dressing up, so guests are encouraged to dress casually. Paul , son of Lambert and Katherine (Bertsch) Kraft was born on October 14, 1945 at Devils Lake, ND. He was raised and educated at St. Michael’s, attending St. Michael’s Mission School. Paul worked for Glen Nelson doing grain salvaging for several years. Paul was united in marriage to the love of his life, Janice Erickson in 1965 at St. Michael. Together, they carved out a place on some wooded land, built their home from the ground up and lived, worked and raised their family on the homestead two miles north of St. Michael. This was where they shared their life and love for each other for over 49 years of marriage. In those 49 years, Paul never wavered in his vow of devotion and faithfulness, in sickness and in health, to care for Janice the very best he could. After marriage, he worked on construction in the Lake Region area and throughout North Dakota until 1973. He farmed with his Dad for several years then was the owner and operator of Kraft’s Repair and Auto Salvage, where he worked alongside his sons. Paul was also involved in the formation of the Devils Lake Volunteer Rural Fire Department. Paul always had cattle and partnered for years with his son, Tim. He enjoyed every aspect of caring for them, from calving to making hay and everything in-between. The father and son team continued to work together until the time of his death. Paul had a quirky sense of humor and could spin a yarn a mile long. He actually won an award for his ability to tell tall tales. Paul could visit with friend, neighbor or stranger and always with a twinkle in his eye. Paul enjoyed hunting, gun collecting and watching westerns. Nothing was more important to Paul than time spent with his children and grandchildren, they were his pride and joy. Paul was a man who was so thankful for the many blessings in his life-his faith, family, friends and neighbors. He is survived by his dear family: wife, Janice; children Tim (Lisa Chaske) Kraft and Lora (Joe) Papachek all of St. Michael, Sue (Scott Klemetsrud) Kraft and Steve (Michelle) Kraft all of Devils Lake; four grandchildren Jayden Kraft, Katie and Kelsey Papachek, Connor McKay; seven step grandchildren Jerah Chaske- Joshua Porras, Trenton and Keeley RunsThrough, Xavier and Xander Porras and DelRay Demarce Jr.; two great grandchildren Jerren and Jericho Chaske; siblings and their spouses Louie I. and Claudia Kraft, St. Michael, Pauline and Allen Kenninger, Cooperstown, ND, Leo and Sandy Kraft, Breckenridge, MN and Helen and George Klemetsrud, Cole Harbor, ND; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim (Marilee) Erickson, Cavalier, ND, Lee (Gerene) Erickson, Hillsboro, ND, Shirley Klefstad, Pekin, ND, Sheila (Jerry) Williams, Walhalla, ND, Bev Haman, Bismarck, ND, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Bud and Gladys Erickson, brothers-in-law Don Erickson, Jerry Haman and Stuart Klefstad, and nieces Krista Erickson and Nevada Tiokasin. Honorary Bearers are all of Paul’s friends and neighbors. Music will be provided by Jodi Kurtz.