NEW HAMPTON -Frank A. Kraft, 85, died Thursday; March 8, 2001 of natural causes.

Funeral services were 11 a.m. Monday/March at Trinity Lutheran Church/New Hampton with Rev David Bergstrom and Rev. Kevin Frey officiating. Music for the service was provided by. Carol Gorman as organist. "How Great Thou Art was sung by the congregation. "Rock of Ages" and Amazing Grace" were sung by Pete and Phyllis Willadsen.

Interment was in the New Hampton City Cemetery with James Snyder, Chuck Kraft, Mike Crooks, Brad Borchardt, Heather Kraft and John Page as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Paul O'Day, Kit O'Donohoe, Harlan Pose, Ron Jenison, Bob Hansen, Dick Schilling, Jason Woodring and Brad Ellison.

Visitation was from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, March 11 at arkin-Martin-Hugeback Funeral Home, New Hampton where there was a 7 p.m. Video Memorial Tribute. Further visitation was an hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Frank was born May 27,1915 in Nashua, the son of George and Katherine (Fiene) Kraft. He attended school in Nashua and graduated from the Nashua High School. On Feb. 21, 1941 he married Betty Bowdish. They were later divorced. Prior to World War II, Frank moved to Minneapolis where he worked for the Viking Pump Co. He returned to New Hampton shortly thereafter and began selling Hudson automobiles. In 1941, Frank obtained the Pontiac dealership currently known today as K & W Motors. Frank had been the mayor of New Hampton from 1952-1963. He also served as a city councilman and on the New Hampton Municipal Light Plant Board. For many years, Frank owned the former Fairview Nursing Home in New Hampton. He had also been active in Boy Scout Troop #123.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Richard) Page, Los Angeles, CA, Kris (Mark) Kramer, New Hampton; two sons, David (Jane) Kraft, Madison, WI, Kyle (Jolene) Kraft, San Marcus, TX; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; four sisters, Myrtle Scholl, Mary Walsh, Molly Thiem and Elizabeth Mellman and four brothers, Charlie, Fred, John and George Kraft.

Source: New Hampton Tribune; Mar. 13, 2001 Page 4
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the Web by Bill Waters