Ronald “Krausie” Gene Kraus, 69, of Council Grove, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 1, 2015, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
He was born on the family farm in “Old Germany Community” in Wabaunsee County, KS, the son of Royal and Stella (Sherrer) Kraus. He attended South Pole Rural School, a one room school house, through the sixth grade and graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1963. Krausie joined the National Guard in 1966 and was drafted by the US Army in 1968. He was honorably discharged in 1972.
He married Judith Bebee in 1973 and later divorced. They had a daughter, Lacy Danielle Kraus.
Krausie married Linda “Skeeter” Burnett, the “love of his life”, on March 29, 1982 in Emporia.
He retired at the age of 62. He started his work career on the farm, which taught him the love of the earth, planting and growing of crops, livestock, mechanic, welder, how to use baling wire and duct tape. Krausie was a jack of all trades and master of many. He worked asphalt crews, concrete, mason tender, rail conductor for 22 years, farm and rancher, and the lumber yard. “Ron worked just as hard off the clock as he did on the job.”
He loved spending time with his grandchildren, Stella Kraus and Ian, Eli and Eden Fox. He was a great PaPa to them and to the boys he and Linda cared for daily. He enjoyed cooking and canning from his garden and sharing the produce. Krausie loved him and Skeeter’s trips to the Ozarks and Silver Dollar City, where they would listen to bluegrass music sitting in a log cabin alongside the fire. He often took a 6 pack and went on a “Green Thumb Tour” in the summer and a “Brown Thumb Tour” in the winter. He had the ability to make everyone laugh with his quick wit and ornery personality.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Butch Kraus.
Survivors include Skeeter, of the home; children, Lacy Kraus, of Salina, Nicole Fox, of KY and Chad Richardson and wife Heather, of Emporia; twin brother, Don Kraus ; sister Deloris Ashburn and husband Leland, all of Alta Vista; nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Krausie will be sadly missed by all.
Ron was cremated. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, February 6, 2015 at Council Grove Community Christian Church, with Pastor Brad Good officiating. A visitation for family and friends will follow the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Butch Kraus Memorial Fund or the Cancer Society. They may be sent in care of Penwell Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.