William J. "Bill" Kraus

William J. "Bill" Kraus, 94 of Keokuk died at 10:46 am on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at River Hills Village in Keokuk. He was born in Keokuk on October 15, 1916 a son to William J. & Valeria M. Wilkens Kraus. Bill was a lifelong resident of Keokuk. He graduated in 1934 from St. Peter's High School and attended St. Ambrose College. He was the owner of Greaves Mortuary and had been a licensed funeral director for 74 years. Bill married Mary Jane Greaves on July 5, 1937 at St. Peter's Catholic Church. He was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 619, BPOE Elks Lodge # 106 and was a charter member of McNamara's band where he played the baritone horn. He was the first parish council president at St. Peter's Catholic Church. Bill is survived by his wife Mary Jane of Keokuk; one son: Robert J. Kraus and his wife Susie of Keokuk, three grandsons: Rob Kraus and his wife Virginia of Sioux City, IA, Scott Rose and his wife Susie of Keokuk and Mike Rose and his wife Kerri of Parker, CO; one granddaughter: Kristy Overbeek and her husband Jeff of Grant Park, IL; nine great grandchildren: Darrin, Daniel, Kirsten and Joe Kraus, Logan Ikerd, Emily Ros...[more]

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Sarah Rose, and Cole and Aiden Overbeek; two brothers: Joseph Kraus and his wife Lillian of Keokuk and Jerry Kraus and his wife Cecile of Copake, NY; two sisters: Mary Carmen Ritter and her husband John of San Dimas, CA and Mary Constance Hoxie of Livermore, CA. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by one brother: Carroll Kraus and one sister: Anne Kamps. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 1 at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk with Rev. Robert Lathrop officiating. Visitation is on Monday after 3 pm with family meeting with friends from 6 to 8 and there will be a Christian Vigil Service at 7:30 pm at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center located on Concert Street. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery. The family requests no flowers and memorials may be made to All Saints Catholic Church, Keokuk Catholic Schools, or the Bill Kraus Music Scholarship through McNamara's Band.