Christine R. Kraft

The funeral Mass will be livestreamed at facebook.com/stjosephchurchdvl. 

Christine R. (Steffen) Kraft, 82, a life-long resident of the Lake Region,  passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake surrounded by loving family.

Christine Rose, daughter of Paul and Mary (Kuntz) Steffen was born on February 16, 1940 in Devils Lake ND.  Christine was raised on a farm near Edmore, ND. She graduated from Edmore High School. After graduation, she moved to Devils Lake. She worked at Mercy Hospital, Starlight Drive-In Theater, and as a waitress at Highway Host.

Christine met the love of her life, Ray Kraft at a dance. Ray and Christine were married on September 23, 1959 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. They established their home in Devils Lake and together raised five boys.

Christine enjoyed making wedding cakes, cooking, baking, sewing, and most of all selling Avon. She was a member of the Altar Society and served as president and was also a Gold Star Mother. She loved being a mother and was kept very busy with her five sons. During Ray and Christine’s free time, they enjoyed traveling and dancing together.

Christine and Ray celebrated more than 55 years of marriage with their family and dear friends. They were extremely committed to each other and were inseparable. True love is what they had and experienced.

Christine will truly be missed by her sons and their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all her friends in the community. She was a true role model on how you should live your life, respect and love your neighbor, and stay true to your faith.

Christine’s loving family include her sons Terry (Vicki) of Fargo, Steve and his wife Tamy of Mesa, AZ, Randy and his wife Traci of Devils Lake and Danny and his wife Jennifer of Fargo; ten grandchildren Savannah Kraft, Sierra (Jordan) Shapiro and Sadie (Nick) Becher, Michael (Ashley) Kraft and Mitchell (Kristina) Kraft, Todd (Jackie) Kraft and Amanda (David) Reed, Nathaniel Kraft, Nicholia (Grace) Kraft and Natasha Kraft; great grandchildren Kennedy and Kambell, Ivan and Autumn, Robbie, Michelle, James and Layton; siblings Paul (Janice) Steffen, Ellie (Eddie) Bosch, Bill Steffen, Karen (Steve) Samek, Tom (Cindy) Steffen, JoAnn (Danny) Lizakowski, Pat (David) Allfrey; many nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray, son Todd, sisters Helen and Mary, brother-in-law Payne, her parents and her in-laws.

Special thanks to Staff at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Hospice of the Red River Valley and Dr. Downs.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Christine will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.