Gordon H. Kraus

Kraus, Gordon H.

Gordon H. Kraus, age 92, of Appleton, died Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at Rennes Health Center. He was born December 2, 1913, to the late Henry and Agnes (Quade) Kraus, in Appleton, where he had been a resident all of his life. Gordon married a lovely girl, Dorothy Shove, on June 18, 1937 and was married for 68 years. He and Dorothy met each other while they were both playing first violin in the Appleton Civic Symphony Orchestra at Appleton High School. Gordon also played with the Ted Busse Orchestra. He was employed by Montgomery Ward, in Appleton, for many years. Gordon then enlisted in the U. S. Navy, during WW II and served in the 9th Naval District Supply Department from 1942 to 1944 and received an Honorable and Medical discharge. Following his discharge he was employed by Automotive Supply Company, Appleton, for 52 years. Gordon joined the Oney Johnston РEdward Blessman American Legion Post #38, in 1945 and the Disabled American Vets. He was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton for 23 years, where he served as secretary and treasurer for the Sunday School. In 1961 he transferred to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Appleton, where he is a current member. Gordon built desks and cabinets for the church and at Christmas time he built a Crèche Nativity Scene and other items and also served as an usher and sang in the choir. He was a Master Mason of the Waverly Masonic Lodge #51 since 1938. Gordon was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason in Consistory, Green Bay, a Shriner of the Tripoli Temple, Milwaukee, a Shriner of the Beja Temple, Green Bay, a life member of the Eastern Star since 1938 and a member of the Tripoli Shrine Legion of Honor Marching Group, where he carried the American Flag in parades around the country. He enjoyed 44 years at his cottage on beautiful Arbutus Lake, near Pickerel, in Forest County, where he had many good neighbors and very good friends. Gordon was an associate member of Arbutus Lutheran Church, Pearson, WI, where he built the first altar in 1956, along with chancel items, a new kitchen in the lower level, new cabinets with Formica tops and tiled the walls with ceramic tile. He repeated this process at Our Saviours Lutheran Church where he built all of the office furniture, altar cross, pulpit and baptismal font. He was a caring craftsman. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; a brother, Joseph (Rose) Kraus, Grand Chute; a sister, Helen Brandt, Appleton; his wife’s cousin, Shirley (Don) Metko, Waukau; many nieces, nephews, and very special friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Vincent and Edward Kraus. Funeral services for Gordon will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, May 5, 2005, at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, 3009 North Meade Street, with Reverend Dennis E. Ellisen officiating. Entombment will be in Appleton Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Friday, from 12:00 pm (Noon), until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to the Our Saviours Youth Ministry Fund.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com