DONALD M. KRAUS
Donald M. Kraus, age 78, of 420 Woodland Road, Kohler, Wis., passed away early Saturday morning, June 5, 2010, at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls.
Don was born July 9, 1931 in Sheboygan, Wis., a son of the late Martin and Marie (Schaefer) Kraus. He attended Sheboygan Falls grade schools and graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1951.
After high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1951 through 1953 during the Korean War.
On Sept. 26, 1959, he married Arlene Pethan at St. Charles Catholic Church in Charlesburg. In September of 2009, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Don was employed at the Kohler Co. for 41 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the NRA-NIRA Rifle and Pistol Club and the Quarter Century Club of the Kohler Co.
When he resided at Lake Winnebago, he enjoyed boating, water skiing and fishing. During the winter months, ice fishing with his father and brother was a challenge. For many years the three of them would travel to northern Wisconsin for the annual deer hunt at the 8-Ball Lodge. Later on in his life, Don’s favorite place was his “shop” where he spent many hours puttering in the company of his dogs, Duke, Ruger and Sadee.
Don was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Kohler, and was a lifetime member of the Sheboygan Falls American Legion Post #149.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene; daughter, Elizabeth Kraus of Minneapolis, Minn.; son, Steven (Heidi) Kraus and grandchildren, Jade and Jerrica Kraus, all of Plymouth; brother, William (Pat) Kraus of Wild Rose, Wis. and a sister, Lynn Rappel of Appleton; three brothers-in-law, Andrew (Valeria) Pethan, Bernard (Eileen) Pethan and George (JoAnn) Pethan, all of Chilton; and two sisters-in-law, Clare Hilt of Waupun, Wis., and Marion Olson of Chilton. Don is further survived by nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father- and mother-in-law, and his brothers-in-law, Allen Rappel and Gregory Hilt.
Memorial prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 11, at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth. Father Robert Lotz, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Kohler, will officiate. Cremation has taken place.
Friends may call at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth from 3 p.m. Friday until the time of services. A memorial fund is being established in Don’s name. The American Legion Post #149 of Sheboygan Falls will conduct military rites at the funeral home following the services.
A memorial Mass will also be held for Don at a future date. The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Plymouth is serving the family. For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
