Charlotte Kraus, age 80, of St. Leo, MN passed away on Friday, October 2, 2020 at the Sanford Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am on Friday, October 9th at the St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, MN. Visitation will be 5 to 7pm on Thursday, October 8th at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby, MN with a prayer service at 7pm. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the St. Leo Catholic Church Cemetery. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel of Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
Charlotte Mabel Kraus was born on October 27, 1939 in Madison, Minnesota to parents Carl Joseph and Mabel (Hilleren) Monson. She was raised along with her siblings on a farm near Madison. She graduated in the class of 1957 from Madison High School. On August 25, 1959, Charlotte was united in marriage to Hilary Kraus at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Madison, MN. To this union they were blessed with six children to which they raised on their farm near St. Leo, MN. Charlotte and Hilary have been on the same farm since they were wed over 61 years ago. Charlotte was a wonderful wife, mom, cook and baker. Her family and friends enjoyed snacking on her cookies and popcorn balls for countless years. She was a beloved mother and grandma and loved to attend her grandchildren’s activities and she enjoyed the years she worked at the fertilizer plant in St. Leo. Playing cards, taking car rides to the casino and going out to eat were just a few of the things Charlotte enjoyed doing. Her time spent with family and friends were unforgettable and she treasured the time spent with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
She was a member of the St. Leo Catholic Church where she was involved with the CCW and the Ladies Catholic Aid. Grateful for having shared her life is her husband of 61 years, Hilary Kraus, St. Leo; her six children: Randy (Christine) Kraus, St. Leo, Sandy (Steve) Knutson, Marshall, Jackie (Doug) Lage, Watertown, SD, James (Jeanne) Kraus, St. Leo, Mary Jo (Dennis) Thooft, Lynd, and Cindy (Scott) Ewing, Marshall; 13 grandchildren: Brandon Kraus, Kayla Kraus (fiancé Tyler), Nicole Kraus, Jacob Knutson, Megan (Andy) Renner, Allie Kraus, Cody (Sami Jo) Kraus, Dana Kraus, Wyatt (Shannon) Kraus, Sawyer Kraus, Jessica Thooft, Katie Ewing and Danielle Ewing; one great-granddaughter, Jayden Knutson; her siblings: James (Iona) Monson, Kenneth Monson, Alpha Hersom and Alyce Weber; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Monson and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Gladys “Jo” Monson, Wallace, Phillip, Charles (her twin), Roger Monson, Millie Schommer, Mary Granfors, Ruth Gatzenmeyer and Helen Wilkening.
