Joseph A. Kraus, 96, of Keokuk, passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at his home in Keokuk, Iowa.
Joseph was born on April 3, 1926, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of William J. and Valeria M. (Wilkens) Kraus. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1944, and served in the United States Army from 1944 until 1946 during World War II. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged. He participated during the occupation of France and served Mass as a faithful Catholic. On May 13, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lillian F. Grogan. She preceded him in death on October 21, 2020.
Joseph was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk and spent his entire working career at the family business, William J. Kraus and Son. He was a man characterized by honesty, a strong work-ethic and a fierce love for his family. He was a devoted husband and father and was well-respected by his community as a gentleman and craftsman.
Joseph is survived by seven children: Joseph M. Kraus of Iowa City, Iowa, Timothy J. (Jan) Kraus of Cape Coral, Florida, Nancy J. (Randy) Derr of Keokuk, Mary Jo (Rick) Gray of Keokuk, Michael J. (Kim) Kraus of Lakemoor, Illinois, Teresa J. (John) Phillips of Kansas City, Missouri, and Christopher J. (Laura) Kraus of Bermuda Dunes, California; his sister Mary Carmen (John) Ritter of Texas; two daughters-in-law: Sarah and Terry Kraus, both of Keokuk; thirty-two grandchildren; fifty great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joseph is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Lillian; two sons: Gregory E. and Daniel J. Kraus; and five siblings: Ann Kamps, William Kraus, Carroll Kraus, Mary Constance Hoxie and Gerald Kraus.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk. The service will be live-streamed at www.allsaintskeokuk.org/live. Burial with military honors will be held in the Catholic section of Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Army and the American Legion Post #41. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 5, from 2 to 6:30 pm, with family meeting friends from 4 to 6:30 pm at DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk. A Christian Vigil service will be held at the funeral home at 6:30 pm on Friday directly following the visitation. The Vigil service will be live-streamed at www.dejongsfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be directed to All Saints Catholic Church or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.dejongsfuneralhome.com.
DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
