Victor Kraus

VICTOR KRAUS Monticello Victor Henry Kraus, 86, of Monticello, joined his wife and son in heaven on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, surrounded by his family, following a short illness. Friends and family may visit from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Kramer Funeral Home in Monticello. A prayer service will be held at 2 p.m. A Catholic funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello. The burial service will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Victor was born Nov. 23, 1927, in Monticello, Iowa. The son of Michael and Amelia (Demmer) Kraus, he grew up with his brothers and sister in Worthington, Iowa. He served in the United States Army in 1946 and 1947 and was stationed in Japan. He met Janice Staner at a dance in May 1948 and married her on Feb. 14, 1949, at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade. Together, Victor and Janice farmed for 47 years in Monticello, where they raised their 16 children, before retiring in 1991. Victor worked hard and set an example that his children still follow to this day. He was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and all of their accomplishments. Victor enjoyed wood working and with Janice created one-of-a-kind hutches, cabinets, grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, Christmas reindeer, hanging door chimes and more. They tried to make everyone feel important and attended every possible event, including birthday parties where they always brought the ice cream treats. Victor was a very social man and loved to get out and about and visit family and friends or go for a drive. He always had a joke to tell and loved to tease anyone and everyone. He also enjoyed playing cards and throwing horseshoes. Victor is survived by 15 children, Mike (Emily) 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 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 his daughter-in-law Becky Kraus of Monticello. Victor is also survived by 46 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; a brother, Carl (June) Kraus of Worthington; three brothers-in-law, Paul (Janet) Staner, Joe (Rosie) Staner of Cascade and Francis Reinert of Dubuque; a sister-in-law, Janaan Kraus of Monticello; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice Kraus; his son, Dan Kraus; a brother, Walter Kraus; a sister, Mary Reinert; a sister-in-law, Marie Orr; a brother-in-law, Frank Orr; a son-in-law, Greg Carl; a grandson, Richard Tuetken; and a great-granddaughter, Hannah First. In lieu of flowers or gifts, consider a donation to cancer research, such as a gift to the Cancer Center at the University of Iowa through the Hairless for Hannah fundraiser. See www.gofundme.com/ B98vdk for details. 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.