Kraus, Janice Catherine

Janice Catherine Kraus, 82, of Monticello, joined her parents in heaven Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, surrounded by her family following a short illness.Friends and family may visit from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Kramer Funeral Home, Monticello. A prayer service will be held at 8 p.m. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in Monticello. The burial service will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Janice was born Sept. 13, 1929, in Monticello, Iowa. The daughter of Wilfred and Martha (Peiffer) Staner, she grew up with her sister and brothers on a farm in Bernard, Iowa. She met Victor Kraus at a dance in May 1948 and married him on Feb. 14, 1949, at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade.

Together, Janice and Victor farmed for 47 years in Monticello, before retiring in 1991. During that time, they raised 16 kids, who were Janice's pride and joy. Janice was actively involved in their 4-H activities as a leader, county leader and judge. She was also an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, ACCW (Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women), Idle Not Club and the Monticello Garden Club. And thanks to the Neighborhood Card Club, the game of euchre has since become a tradition at most Kraus family get-togethers.

Janice enjoyed a variety of hobbies and she used them to give to her family and friends. Many have stayed warm on cold nights cuddled up under one of the afghans Janice crocheted in colors she chose specifically for them. Delicious home-cooked meals, baked goods, hand-painted woodwork that she and Victor worked on together have also been enjoyed by those she loved.

Even though she loved her impatiens and roses, Janice never met a flower she didn't like. When you gave her flowers, you could rest assure that they were well taken care of, just like her family.

She enjoyed visiting friends and family. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and could often be heard exclaiming their accomplishments and requesting her hugs and kisses before departing.

Janice is survived by her husband, Victor; and 16 children, Mike (Emily) Kraus, Dan (Becky) Kraus and Steve (Darcy) Kraus of Monticello, Dave (Sue) Kraus of Cascade, Martha (Dean) Schwendinger, Jim Kraus, Julie (Vern) Vacek and Tony (Marsha) Kraus of Monticello, Bob Kraus of Cedar Rapids, Bill (Kathy) Kraus of Hopkinton, Joan Kraus of Cedar Rapids, 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.

Janice is also survived by 46 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Paul (Janet) Staner and Joe (Rosie) Staner of Cascade; a sister-in-law, Janaan Kraus of Monticello; two brothers-in-law, Carl (June) Kraus of Worthington, and Francis Reinert of Dubuque; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Marie Orr; a brother-in-law, Walter Kraus; a sister-in-law, Mary Reinert; a son-in-law, Greg Carl; and a grandson, Richard Tuetken.

Memorials are preferred.

The family would like to thank the staff of Above & Beyond Hospice Care, the staff and nurses at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and all our family and friends for their prayers and well wishes.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 18, 2012.