Obituary for Jerry Kraus

Jerald A. “Jerry” Kraus, age 89, Marshfield, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Marshfield Medical Center Palliative Care.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, with Rev. Daniel Thelen officiating. A gathering for family and friends will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Friday, June 14, 2024, and from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday at Rembs Funeral Home. A Knights of Columbus rosary service will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral home and the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree will form a guard of honor. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Marshfield, where military rights will be conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1866.

Jerry was born on January 2, 1935, in Rozellville, to Louis and Agnes (Gemskie) Kraus. He attended St. Andrew’s Parochial School and was a graduate of Marshfield Senior High School. He married Jean M. Kohlbeck on October 27, 1956, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stratford in a double wedding with Jean’s twin sister Jane who married Marvin Fait. They were married for 67 years until Jean died on November 2, 2023.

In 1953 Jerry began employment at Felker Brothers Manufacturing until he was drafted in the United States Army, serving from March 18, 1957, until his honorable discharge on March 14, 1959. While on leave at the Vatican, he met Pope John XXIII. After his military service, Jerry returned to working at Felker Brothers until 1988 when he and three others purchased Felker Petroleum Equipment, Inc. until his retirement. After his retirement he enjoyed and assisted his Rembs Funeral Home “family”.

Jerry was a long-time member of St. John’s Catholic Church where he served as an usher for 50 years. He was a member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus John Eisen Council #1799. He was a player and manager of Felker Brothers Softball Team (those flamboyant uniforms!) He enjoyed his family, camping, golfing, traveling, wintering in the south, cruises, a trip to Europe, his classic convertible, and taking care of his backyard pond.

He is survived by his children, Michael (Debra) Kraus of Marshfield, Patrick (Sarah) Kraus of Pittsville, and Sara (Stephen) Nick of Eau Claire. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Monica (Matt Steiner) Nyberg, Taylor Kraus, Spencer (Danielle) Kraus, Anna Nick, Julia Nick, and Timothy Blu Kraus and one great granddaughter, Olivia Steiner.

He is further survived by a sister, Marilyn (Richard) Wagner and a brother, Kenneth (Mary) Kraus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, sisters, Lorraine Mancl, Margie Oertel, Laverne Fahey, Marion Jakubowski, Anita Pokallus, Virginia Stauber, and Agnes Rehlinger, and brothers, Edward, Charles, LeRoy, Louis Jr., James, and Thomas Kraus.

Jerry was a loving, kind, considerate person who led by example.

The family wishes to thank Marshfield Medical Center Palliative Care for their compassion and support.

Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com