Steven Kraus

STEVEN PAUL KRAUS

Monticello

Steven Paul Kraus, 69, of Monticello, Iowa, passed away at home Sunday, March 21, 2021, surrounded by his family after a two-year battle with cancer. A private family graveside service will be held Friday, March 26, at Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello, Iowa.

Steve was born Feb. 19, 1952, in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Victor and Janice (Staner) Kraus and grew up with his 15 brothers and sisters on a farm outside of Monticello, Iowa. He married his high school sweetheart, Darcy Wilson, on Nov. 11, 1972, in Monticello, Iowa.

Steve owned numerous businesses in Monticello, including Sun Insulation and Lumber, Quality Builders and Monticello Monument until his retirement in 2015. To keep himself busy during retirement, he became the maintenance man at Maplewood Estates, where he developed personal relationships with all the residents and he thought of them as family.

He enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, Iowa Hawkeyes, and helping his children with woodworking projects. He took pride in being a Kraus and was very proud of his brothers and sisters and all their accomplishments.

Steve is survived by his wife of 48 years, Darcy; and their children, Lindsy (Devin) Tadlock of Iowa City, Jessie (Richie) Ludwig of Worthington and Jim (Lindsey) Kraus of Monticello; and his grandchildren, Paige and Jamie Etten, Shay, Kara and Rikkie Ludwig, and Cole and Cash Kraus. He is also survived by his siblings, Mike (Emily) Kraus of Monticello, Dave (Sue) Kraus of Cascade, Martha (Dean) Schwendinger of Monticello, Jim Kraus of Monticello, Julie Vacek of Monticello, Tony (Marsha) Kraus of Monticello, Bob Kraus of Cedar Rapids, Bill (Kathy) Kraus of Hopkinton, Joan Kraus of Monticello, Jayne (Joe) Tuetken of Monticello, John (Julie) Kraus of Center Point, Mark (Pam) Kraus and Teresa (Dan) Cox of Mount Vernon, and Ted (Sarah) Kraus of Monticello; and in-laws, Becky Kraus of Monticello, Shane (Dianne) Wilson of Monticello, Jerry Frawley of Monticello, Tori (Gary) Manternach of Monticello and Shar (David) Welter of Monticello.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Billy and Charlotte Wilson; his brother, Daniel Kraus; and in-laws, Greg Carl, Mitch Wilson, Tamy Frawley and Vern Vacek.

The family would like to thank their family and friends for their prayers and well wishes. They also want to thank Angie and Jennifer with Above & Beyond Hospice for helping with his wish to remain at home.

Information available at www.kramerfuneral.com. Cards may be sent to the family in care of Kramer Funeral Home, 700 E. Oak St., Monticello, IA 52310.