Carolyn "Carol" J. Kraus

Carolyn "Carol" J. (Leland) Kraus, age 84, of Mankato and formerly of rural Garden City, died Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Keystone Living in Mankato.

Memorial Service Celebrating Carol’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal. Visitation will be held one hour before service at the church. Interment will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund or an organization of the donor’s choice.

Carolyn Joanne Leland was born Feb 25, 1931 in Faribault County to Irving and Genevieve (Henderson) Leland. She graduated from Bricelyn High School in 1948. After graduating from Mankato Commercial College, she worked as a legal secretary for Wm. Stradtmann in Mankato. On May 28, 1950, she married Herbert Kraus. They resided on the home farm in rural Garden City for 63 years before moving to Keystone Senior Living in Mankato in 2013. Carol was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal where she was active with Zion Lutheran Church Women, her circle, various boards and volunteer work. Her interests included bridge, golf (including a hole-in-one on July 27, 1982), reading, walking, and water aerobics. In Minnesota, they enjoyed many Memorial Day picnics with friends at Minneopa State Park, as well as many fun nights of playing bridge with other couples. Carol and Herb wintered for thirty years in Winter Park, FL, where they made more wonderful friends. Together, they enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and socializing with the other residents at Chateaux du Lac Apartments. Carol also enjoyed her time as a member of the Winter Park Coterie Club.

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

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Irving and Genevieve Leland; a brother, Roger (Kay) Leland; brother-in-law, Emmet Iverson; sister-in-law, Jackie Leland.