Pius Kraft

Pius Kraft, 90 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 at his home.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00. The Knights of Columbus will lead the rosary with a 4th Degree Honor Guard. Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson will officiating the Scripture Service. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial and Military Honors in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family invites you to join them for fellowship at the KC Hall following the graveside service. 

Pius was born on October 23, 1934 in Devils Lake to Adam and Eva (Bachmeier) Kraft. He was the eldest of 4 children. 

Pius was educated at St. Joseph’s School and St. Mary’s Academy. He joined the North Dakota Army National Guard and while working at Majestic Cleaners he was ordered to active duty on January 15, 1957. He proudly served his country in Korea during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the NDANG on April 9, 1961 with the rank of Specialist 4. 

When Pius returned to Devils Lake, he was united marriage to Karen Rohrer. They moved to Seattle, Washington where their two children were born and raised. A son, Douglas and a daughter Deborah. While living in Seattle, Pius mostly worked in the grocery business. Owning his own store “Zip Market” for a time, and working in management of another store until her retired. Pius was never idle and a jack-of-all trades. He worked in construction in his off hours, using his woodworking skills he acquired in trade school. 

After he retired from the grocery business, Pius moved back to Devils Lake, and entered into marriage on December 13, 2002 to his newfound love, Mary Heisler Senger. Mary unfortunately passed away on June 18, 2003.

You could always find Pius tinkering with something, He enjoyed league bowling both in Seattle and Devils Lake. After returning to Devils Lake, Pius served as the secretary for the HOA on Dickenson Drive Condos for many years. He became very active in St. Joseph Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus too. He was an Adult Altar Service, 4th Degree Knight, held the office of treasurer for the KC’s, was the contact person for many rosaries and Honor Guards at funeral services. He loved being a Knight and proudly wore his Knight uniform atanding with his brothers at countless events. His faith was unwavering and of the up most importance to him. His list of acts of love was endless. Pius led many rosaries at noon and 7:30 a.m. Mass, he served as a devoted sacristan, was in the kitchen at many KC and Altar Society feeds, events, assisting the needy at St. Vincent DePaul Society, the cook for many Friendship Club meetings, and was so proud of his and fellow Knight’s efforts in building a replica of St. Joseph Church to use in parades and community events. He thoroughly enjoyed any and all learning opportunities with his church. 

Pius had come to really enjoy watching NFL football. However he was the greatest fan of any NFL team with a player who had NDSU Bison background. He felt that would always be the winning ticket for any team. 

Of course his love of his family was boundless. Spending time with his children and grandchildren brought him much joy. 

Pius will be dearly missed by his family who survives him. His son Douglas (Kay) Kraft of Dunnellon Florida; daughter Deborah Greising, Morton Washington; grandchildren David Kraft and Blayze (Erin) Kraft Shelby Greising; great grandchildren Maice, Tiara, Nessa, Dominic and Natalia; sister Donna Clune, Yakima WA and Marlene (Joseph) Bertsch, Detroit Lakes MN; sisters-in-law Carol Bertsch and Beverly Kraft; several nieces and nephews, including Charlotte Kraft who he appreciated dearly for all her assistance in the past couple years. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, brother Duane Kraft, brother-in-law David Bertsch.