Obituary of Daniel Joseph Kraus

MONTICELLO, IOWA Daniel Joseph Kraus, 62, of Monticello, IA passed away Friday, February 21, 2014, surrounded by his family. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello where a parish rosary will be recited at 2:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 28, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello with burial in the Church Cemetery. Rev. Paul Baldwin will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the Monticello Drill Team and the Iowa Honors Detail. Dan was born March 21, 1951, at John McDonald Hospital. The son of Victor and Janice (Staner) Kraus, he grew up with his 15 brothers and sisters on a farm outside of Monticello, IA. Dan served in the Unites States Army from 1969 - 1971 and was stationed in Thailand, Korea, and Vietnam. Later he became an active VFW (Veteran of Foreign Wars) member. He married his high school sweetheart Rebecca Hugh on November 20, 1971. Together they raised four children in Monticello. He started a construction company with his brothers in 1975, and continued working with his sons and son-in-law until the time of his death. He was very respected and well known for his high quality work in the community. He and Becky loved traveling and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii with all of their children and grandchildren. As avid Hawkeye football fans, they were season ticket holders and attended all of the home games, although they were sometimes known to socialize through large portions of the games or wandering the stadium. Dan loved being outside, grilling, working with his hands, playing horse shoes and pool, and giving his grandchildren golf cart rides. He was proud of his family and was seen by many as a mentor and father-figure. Dan is survived by his wife Rebecca and children: Chad (Sheila) Kraus of Monticello, Wayne (Mandy) Kraus of Leawood, KS, Patrick (Whitney) Kraus of Cedar Rapids, Rachel (Terry) Steger of Monticello. His Grandchildren: Jordan and Kourtney Kraus, Elliott and Drew Kraus, Owen and Evalyn Steger, and Sheila's children Haley and Mitch. He is also survived by his father, Victor of Monticello; 15 siblings: 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. His brother-in-law, Ron Hugh of Monticello, sisters-in-law: Barb (Adam) Roses of Natick, MA, Frances (Dan) Calvert of Marion, Donna (John) Bader of Monticello and Shirley (David) Hardersen of Monticello. He was proceeded in death by his mother, Janice Kraus, mother and father-in-law, Paul and Norma Hugh, brother-in-law Greg Carl, brother-in-law Paul Lee Hugh, sister-in-law Denise Hugh, nephew Richard Tuetken, and great-niece Hannah First. The family would like to thank all of our friends and family for their kindness, prayers, and well wishes.