Kraus, George G.

George G. Kraus was born in Middle Amana, Iowa, on April 11, 1921, to Charles and Helene (Schinnerling) Kraus. He graduated from Amana High School in 1939, and married his wife Helen M. (Berger) Kraus on Sept. 30, 1944. Two daughters, Donna R. Kraus and Kandyce Kraus Hannon and a son, Dennis G. Kraus were born to this union. George also has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. From 1940 until 1943, George played professional baseball with the Cleveland Indian Organization, however withdrew his association due to a back injury. George worked as a parts and service manager for Highway Equipment Company Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 1943 until 1957, when he founded Kraus Equipment Company Inc. In 1962, he purchased manufacturing facilities for fertilizer and feed equipment in Walford and Cedar Rapids. As a side business, George owned and operated the Old Style Colony Winery Inc. in Middle Amana, Iowa. from 1948 until 1984. “The Story of an Amana Winemaker” was written by George as told to E. Mae Fritz in 1984.

Between 1960 and 1970, George traveled all 50 states and eight foreign countries, promoting and engaging in business transactions. He traveled to Hungary and Czechoslovakia in 1972, attended the World Agricultural Equipment Show in Tehran, Iran, in 1976, promoted businesses for the state of Iowa in South America (Bogota, Peru, Rio de Janeiro, San Palo), and served as a member of the National Limestone Institute attending annual meeting in Washington D.C., from 1965 through 1975 for the limestone industry.

Since 1983, George had been active as a volunteer for SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives, a Division of Small Business Administration, USA). Direct marketing of franchised products occupied George's time form 1984 until 1994. After moving to his winter home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 1988, George developed Serene Wooded Acres Mobile Home Park in Middle Amana, Iowa, in 1989. While living in Arizona and managing and developing the mobile home park, George was appointed to the board of directors for Fahrenheit Entertainment Inc. Bernstein Corporation, Mr. Angel Inc., and Israel O Israel Inc. Denver, Colo.

God, thank you for the miracles you have brought to my life. As I look around me I see all you have done and I am humbled by your goodness to me. Amen.

A memorial service will be held in Iowa at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Aseracare Hospice or a charity of your choice.

Bartholomew Funeral Home in Valparaiso, Ind., is in charge of arrangements.

To sign a guest book for George, please visit .

Published Aug. 16, 2011, in The Gazette

Updated online Sept. 8, 2011

Second notice published Sept. 9, 2001, in The Gazette