Kathleen Kraus Obituary

Kathleen Francis (Fraser) Kraus

Dec 23, 1934 - Sep 8, 2024

Sandusky

"A Mother's Heart is a special place. It is a place where true love begins and lives. This is where true unconditional love, grace & mercy reside."

This is our mother, grandmother & great-grandmother, Kathleen Francis Kraus.

Kathleen Francis (Fraser) Kraus of Sandusky lived a full 89, almost 90 years, courageously and successfully completing her life's mission after a very brief illness Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.

Kathleen was born at home in her grandmother's house in Willard, Dec. 23, 1934, to Russell J. Fraser and Florence (Huston) Fraser. She grew up attending Sandusky City Schools, earning a certificate from the State of Ohio for the "Pupils Reading Circle," and a life-long passion for reading. She then graduated from Sandusky High School in 1952.

She married her high school sweetheart William K. Kraus on October 14, 1953, and as custom of that time, followed him, doing her duty and also serving her country as a Navy wife during the later part of the Korean War. This dedication to duty, honor, and sacrifice continued to serve her, later as a Navy, Air Force, and Army mother, and to the next generation as a Marine Corps grandmother. Always, Kathleen continued to serve and support.

After their time with the US Navy and the University, the couple returned to continue in their chosen life pursuits, William in music, Kathleen dedicating her life and energy to her family. She continued to grow with a "quiet strength" of smart observations that enabled her to grow as an informed individual and woman and a loving and devoted wife. This steadfast "quiet strength" is the gift of unconditional love of a truly unconditional mother and is the continued inspiration of a family that has existed into four generations. Through this love and guidance, raised five children, assisted in the raising of 12 grandchildren, and then blessed to be the amazing and always amazed, great grandmother of 11 great grandchildren.

Taking inspiration from her own mother, she served her community for several years as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and even more years and at least four times as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts. Kathleen was committed to the fair principles of our democracy, serving many years with the Board of Elections for Erie County as a Poll Worker. She is a proud Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) and through intensive genealogical research, brought together and recorded much of her extended family'(s) histories, and is thereby recognized as a "Woman of Excellence."

Kathleen's story continues through her sister, Sharon (Fraser) Garnes of Norwalk, Ohio, and with her five children's families of Jeffery and Irene of Sandusky, Robert and Julia of Norwalk, Steven and Bonnie of Catawba Island, Carolyn and Ralph Springer of Milan, and of David's children. As annotated earlier, there are also 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Kathleen was preceded by her son, David William Kraus, Aug. 8, 2009, and her husband of 70 years, William Kelvin Kraus, May 4, 2023.

"Think about this amazing gift God gave us, in our mother Kathleen. God trusted in her ability to positively influence the lives of her husband, her children, and all her many grandchildren, to call upon her when we needed Her's and God's guidance to positively shape our lives." Mom's goals are all met, she loved us all, she was ready.

For those considering donations, they may be made in Kathleen's name to the Scholarship fund of the Martha Pitkin Chapter of the Daughter's of the American Revolution (DAR).

The family will be holding a private graveside service.

Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences may be shared at pfeilfuneralhome.com.