PETER KRAFT

Peter Kraft, a life-long resident of the Lake Region area passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2014 at his home in the loving care of family and Mercy Hospice. He was 84. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, December 1, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Peter will be laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Peter, son of John and Alysia (Sander) Kraft was born on October 12, 1930 at St. Michael, ND. He was raised and educated in the area attending Mission Township #1 School of Benson County where he graduated from the 8th grade. He worked on the family farm and as a farm laborer in the area for several years. Peter entered the United States Army in 1952 and served his country during the Korean Conflict. Much of his service was in Bordeaux, France as an Engineer and Heavy Equipment Specialist with the Army Corp of Engineers in reconstruction efforts. After his honorable discharge in 1954, Peter returned to the St. Michael area and again worked for area farmers. On June 20th, 1955, Peter was united in marriage to Theresa Eback, the love of his life, at St. Michael. Shortly after their marriage they made their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their nine children. Peter began a 41 year career as a Driver and Batch Man for Lake Ready Mix. After retiring from Lake Ready Mix, Peter began working at Lake Region State College in the Automotive Department as the Tool Room Manager. He worked there for 13 years, retiring at the age of 80 years. In his employment with both Lake Ready Mix and Lake Region College, Peter always took care of so much more than his job, doing repair, remodeling and whatever had to be done. As the father of nine children, it was very fortunate that he loved to cook and bake and share all of his delicious creations with family and friends. He loved the outdoors; fishing and picking chokecherries. He not only picked the chokecherries, but he cleaned and processed them into jelly and syrup and gave them as gifts to family and friends. There was nothing better than chokecherry syrup on pancakes and the memories that were brought so lovingly to mind. He loved family gatherings and the laughter and joy shared at each special occasion. Peter was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a man of great faith, great love for his family and great service to his country. Peter is survived by his precious family. His children and their spouses, Mary Ann and Jim Hoff, Arvilla, ND, Peter and Sandy Kraft Jr., Aberdeen, SD, Anthony and Melinda Kraft, Fergus Falls, MN, Lucille and Curt Helgeson, Minot, ND, Bernhart and MarrLa Kraft, Jamestown, ND, Laurie Ann and Gordon Ebensteiner, Carrington, ND, William and Carolyn Kraft, Fargo, ND, Robert Kraft, Devils Lake and Elizabeth and Kevin Thompson, Argusville, ND; eighteen grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; sister Ann (Fred) Bingham, Devils Lake; brothers John Kraft, Mike (Kathy) Kraft, Joe (CeCe) Kraft all of Devils Lake and Louie (Phyllis) Kraft, St. Michael; in-laws Helen Nelson, Puyallup, WA and Bennie Eback, Leeds, ND; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Theresa on November 22, 1996; brothers Tony, Emil, Frank and Sebastian Kraft; sisters Mary Kuntz and Elizabeth Matthews. Serving as Casket Bearers for Peter will be his grandsons, Nicholas Kraft, Michael Hoff, Christopher Kraft, Matthew Hoff, Kraig Kraft, Brock Kraft, Dusten Ebensteiner, Tyler Ebensteiner, Nathan Thompson, Scott Thompson, Richard Kraft and Logan Thompson. Gift Bearers will be Peter’s granddaughters Holly Becker, Michelle Bigelow, Brittany Jahraus, Melissa Helgeson, Theresa Kraft and Carissa Kraft. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and JoDe Lagein.