Darwin F. Kraus, 92, Pacific
Darwin F. Kraus, 92, of Pacific died May 16, 2022, in Pacific. Mr. Kraus graduated from Eureka High in 1949. He joined the Air Force during the Korean War, was stationed in Germany, served as a chaplain’s assistant and achieved the rank of staff sergeant. After his military service, he returned to the family business at Valley Mount Ranch in Valley Park, then worked at Kraus Farms Equestrian Center until his death. He was a member of Our Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge for 33 years before moving to Pacific. Then he was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Eureka where was an elder and president of Lutherans for Life. He liked to read, call his congressional representatives to voice his opinion, spend time with his family and play practical jokes. Born May 26, 1929, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Frieda (Scherer) and Ben Kraus.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years: Gerry Kraus; nine children: Dusty (Joanie) Kraus of Pacific, Terry Kraus of Fenton, Jay (Traci) Kraus of Fenton, Philip (Bronwen) Kraus of Fenton, Danny Kraus of Murphy, Tim (Christine) Kraus of Pacific, Becky (Darrin) Mason of Layton, Utah, Sarah (Jakob) Kraus-Bille of Horsens, Denmark and Katie (David) Norris of Pacific; 22 grandchildren: Jake and Zach Kraus, Amy and Christin Tinker, Dale (Chelsie) Stafford, Benjamin Kraus, Sydney (Austin) Stephenson, Dylan (Amanda) Kraus, Lily and William Kraus, Tiffany (Owen) Simmons, Raymond Kraus, Kaitlyn and Lindsey Kraus, Devren (Jackie) Mason, Alexis Mason, Lea (Sage) Voda, Micah and Cali Mason, Emma and Anna Kraus-Bille and Madyson Norris; nine great-grandchildren: Saturn Tinker, Trent Mann, Lucy Walker, Jaxson Tinker, Nathaniel and Ryan Stafford, Bennett Stephenson, Lucas and Dean Mason; and five sisters: Gerry, Lavern, Norita, Dottie and Sheila.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Gene Kraus; and a sister: Shirley (Kraus) Bothman.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 500 Meramec Blvd., in Eureka. Funeral services will be at 9:30 Wednesday, June 1, at the church. Memorials may be made to the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Building Fund or My Life Medical and Resource Center in High Ridge. Arrangements are under the direction of Schrader Funeral Home.