Herbert Henry Kraus

Lake Crystal Mortuary 
648 South Main Street
Lake Crystal, MN 56055
507-726-6161

Herbert Henry Kraus, 93, died peacefully at his home on March 29, 2017 in Mankato, MN.

Visitation will be at Lake Crystal Mortuary at 6:00 p.m., on Monday, April 3, followed by a 7:00 p.m., Masonic service (all are welcome). Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 4 at Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal, with visitation one hour prior to services. Lunch and a graveside service at Lake Crystal Cemetery to follow. 

Herb was born on August 10, 1923 in Vernon Center Township to Louis and Blanche (Robinson) Kraus. He graduated from Garden City High School in 1940 and attended University of Minnesota's School of Agriculture. On May 28, 1950, he married Carolyn Leland in Bricelyn, MN. They resided on the home farm south of Lake Crystal until 2013 when they moved to Keystone-New Perspective Senior Living in Mankato.

Herb farmed the home farm (third generation) until he retired in 1987. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving for many years on the church council. He was a member of the Lions Club, served 13 years on the Lake Crystal School Board, and was a 70-year member of Bethel Lodge 103. 

His interests included golfing, playing bridge, reading, and spending time with family. Herb and Carol enjoyed many Memorial Day picnics with friends at Minneopa State Park, as well as many fun nights playing bridge with friends. They wintered for thirty years in Winter Park, FL, where they made more wonderful friends.

Herb is survived by two daughters, Karen Kraus and her husband, Denny Pearson, of Sioux Falls, Jan Larson and her husband, Jack, of New Ulm; one son, Mark Kraus and his wife Carolynn, of Garden City; four grandchildren, Jen (Matt) Hasty, Jodi (Rich) Nelson, Katie (Tom) Dolan, and Nick Larson; two great-grandsons, Luke and Isaac Nelson; sister, Alma Schultz; sister-in-law, LaVonne Iverson; brother-in-law, Gene (LaVonne) Leland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Herb was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Carol; his siblings, Wilbur Kraus, Mildred Hanson, Audrey Crane, and Barbara Foley.

The family asks memorials be directed to Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund or Mayo Clinic Hospice. 

The family would like to thank Pastor Andrea Myers for her faithful visits, and to Keystone-New Perspective, and Mayo Hospice staff for the wonderful, loving care they provided to Dad and our family.