Carol Kraus

Carol Kraus, 75, of Grand Forks, N.D., died on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D. She was born Carol Jean Hoover on May 7, 1936, to Lillie May Britten and Carl B. Hoover in Petersburg, N.D. She was the youngest of four children. She grew up and attended school in Petersburg, N.D., and Grand Forks, N.D. She graduated from Central High School in Grand Forks in 1954. She married George Kraus, of Edgeley, N.D., on Sept. 20, 1958, at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks. They lived in Grafton and then moved to Grand Forks. She worked as a telephone operator for the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., as a teachers' aide at Red River High School in Grand Forks, in sales at department stores, and in customer service at First National Bank and Community National Bank. She took a break from working until her three children got older. She served as president of the VFW Auxiliary Post No. 1874 in Grand Forks. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Forks. She inspired love, respect and loyalty, and cherished spending time with family, friends and neighbors. She was known for making lefse and krumkake during the holidays. She enjoyed gardening, traveling and watching British comedies. She particularly enjoyed hearing about the activities of her grandson. She is survived by two daughters, Peggy Kraus, of Baltimore, Md., and Kelly (Darren) Messmer of Bismarck, N.D.; one son, Scott Kraus, of Pocatello, Idaho; one sister, Marion (Ardell) Vonesh, of Grand Forks, N.D.; a grandson, Tyler Messmer, of Bismark, N.D.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillie and Carl; husband, George, in 2001; and two sisters, Helen Clark and Adele Hoover. A funeral service will be held Friday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 5555 S. Washington St., Grand Forks, with the Rev. Jerry Bass officiating. A viewing is planned at 10 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Altru Pulmonary Rehabilitation, through Altru Health Foundation, P.O. Box 6002, Grand Forks, N.D., 58206-6002, or altru.org/foundation.