Lois J. Kraft, of Marshall, MN, formerly of Canby, MN, died Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Avera Morningside Heights Nursing Home in Marshall, MN. A Memorial service will be at 2 pm on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Porter, MN with Pastor Josh Doughty officiating. Burial with Rev. Ellen Munter officiating will be in the Canby City Cemetery, Canby, MN. Visitation will be held Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements.
Lois Jean (Christensen) Kraft was born in Lincoln County, near Porter, MN, on April 9, 1935, to Alfred and Audrey (Knutson) Christensen. She attended Porter School through eighth grade and then attended Canby High School, graduating in 1953. She worked a short time in the cities before returning to Porter where she married Leslie “Bud” E. Kraft at Porter Lutheran Church on June 26, 1955. They made their first home and farmed north of Canby, MN. They were parents of four daughters. Lois later held various jobs in Canby before accepting a job at Schwan’s in Marshall, MN. Lois had many hobbies including: sewing, needlework, quilting, square dancing, Sweet Adeline Chorus, and daily journaling. She volunteered with the school literacy program when they lived in Texas. She was an excellent cook and lefse maker. As a young wife and mother, she connected with a pen pal, eventually traveling to Great Britain to meet her in 1991. In her retirement, she and Bud took up the RV life, traveling throughout the United States and making many friends. They eventually settled in San Juan, Texas. They visited churches and joined congregations as they moved around, always ready to lend a hand and serve the Lord. They have made their home in Marshall since 2017. She was a member of Living Word Lutheran Church. Lois was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her family well. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband Bud; daughters: Sandy (Brian) Cooper, Betty Jo (Allen) Hanenberger and Susan (John) Alley; grandchildren: Sarah (Andrew) Dean, Katie (Tim) Gullicksrud, Joshua (Michelle) Cooper, Jessica Seidel, Mathew (Michelle) Sampson, Adam (Amanda) Hanenberger, Kristina (Anthony) Blankenship, Jon (Michelle) Hanenberger and ten great-grandchildren. Lois is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Jane Larsen; son-in-law, Larry Larsen; sister, Marcelline Follmer; brothers-in-law, Frank Follmer, Malvin W. Kraft, Jr., and sister-in-law, Darlene Kraft.
