Lorraine J. Kraus
Lorraine Josephine (nee Schmitz) Kraus passed away to join her husband on June 21, 2018 with family at her side. She was the third daughter of Leo J and Pauline (nee Birschbach) Schmitz, born on February 4, 1926 at the family farm in Fond du Lac. She attended St. Mary’s grade school and graduated from Fond du Lac Senior High School in 1944. On August 7, 1946 she married the love of her life, Peter V. Kraus, Jr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Peter and Lorraine raised two sons and seven daughters together, trying to always be a step ahead of the kids and their many activities, along with sewing many of their clothes, adorable Halloween costumes and Holiday outfits. She always enjoyed dressing her daughters in matching dresses for the holidays. While raising her large, busy family, Lorraine also worked at St. Agnes Hospital, retiring from Consultants Laboratory in 1987 after more than 30 years.
Lorraine enjoyed playing numerous card games, especially Sheepshead and Euchre; her & Peter’s many card group gatherings; going out dancing; boating, fishing, traveling, years of spending summer family weeks at cottages and then camping & cabin time at their Wild Rose property. She was an active spectator and cheerleader at her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren sports and music activities and enjoyed hosting all of her family for hearty meals and gatherings at their home. She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, St. Mary’s Hope Choir, and was a charter member of Knights of Columbus Auxiliary. She volunteered at St. Mary’s church and Meals on Wheels.
Several years after Peter’s 2011 passing, she moved to St. Francis Home where she reconnected with several childhood & card group friends and made new ones. Her quick wit and humor were enjoyed by all she came in contact with. She was always up for a good card game.
Surviving Lorraine and celebrating her life, are her nine children: Donna Jean (Robert) King, Onalaska; James Peter, JoAnn Pauline (David) Klumpyan, Mary Lou (Jeff) Weber, Fond du Lac; Barbara Sue (Edward) Terbell of Naples, Fla; Dr. Thomas Leo (Mary Jo) Kraus, Nancy Kay (Paul) Wood, Fond du Lac; Deborah Lynn (Melissa) Kraus, Milton, Wis.: Theresa Elizabeth (Shawn) Scholler, Cedar Grove.
She is further survived by twenty-one grandchildren and two step grandchildren: Dr. Tisha (Christopher) King-Heiden, LaCrosse; Tara (Mike) Larson, Rockford, Ill.; Jessica Kraus, Waupun, Brennan Kraus, Janesville; Ashley Kraus (Austin Sayler), Wild Rose; Aubrey Kraus, FDL; Kason (Jen) Klumpyan, Whitefish Bay; Kari (Ryan) Graham, FDL; Kale (Claudia) Klumpyan, Carlsbad, Cal.; Karter Klumpyan, Novato, Cal.; Walter (Jessica) Weber, FDL; Jeffrey (Kelly) Weber, Brownsville; Jeremy (Trudy) Weber, Rosendale: Mathew Weber, Soquel, Cal.; Benjamin (Angela) Winter, Ashton (Sarah) Winter, FDL; Laura Kraus (Ty Swenson), Madison; Angela (Taylor) Backhaus, FDL; John (Jenna) Wood, FDL; Jennifer (Nathan) Mueller, St. Cloud, Tonya Odekirk, FDL; Parker Scholler, Random Lake; Lindsay Roehlinger, Milwaukee;
She is further survived and Blessed with 32 great-grandchildren, 6 step great-grandchildren, 2 great-great step grandchildren, along with Sisters-in-laws Victoria Schrab, Junea and Dorothy Kraus, FDL.
Preceding Lorraine were her husband of 65 years, Peter V. Kraus, her parents, Pauline and Leo Schmitz, two sisters, Delores Schmitz and Viola Dunlavy, Edward Dunlavy, infant grandson, Stephen Kraus, and her husband’s siblings; George (Stella) Kraus, Oscar (Dorothy) Kraus Sr., Herman Kraus, Elizabeth (Ray) Wettstein, and Raymond Schrab.
Lorraine’s family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the amazing staff at St. Francis Home for their
compassionate and loving care of Lorraine; you treated Mom like family and we are forever grateful.
SERVICES: Family will receive visitors on Tuesday, June 26, at Holy Family Parish, 271 4th Street Way. Visitation is 10:00 to 12:00 with Mass of Christian Burial at Noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Francis Home Employee Christmas fund or Holy Family Parish in Lorraine’s memory are appreciated.
Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com