Barbara Jane Clay Kraus
Kraus, Barbara Jane (nee Clay)-It is with great sadness that her family announce the passing of Barbara Jane Clay Kraus on September 1, 2021. She was born on November 13, 1941 to the late Clarence “Pete” and Minnie Alice “Susie” Clay (nee Patten).
She is preceded in death by both her parents; the love of her life of 60 years, Richard H, Kraus; brother, Jimmy Wayne Clay; half-brother, Jerry Thomas Clay; sister-in-law, Janette Clay; sister-in-law, Carol (nee Kraus) Crump and brother-in-law, Ronald Kraus, Sr. She leaves to mourn her two children, Stacey (Wanda) Kraus of Arnold, MO and Raema Kraus (Wayde) Howell of O’Fallon, MO; five grandchildren, Amy Kraus and Curtis (Kaitlyn) Kraus, both of Cape Girardeau, MO; Zachary Kraus and Alexander Kraus, both of Arnold, MO and Zoey Howell of O’Fallon, MO. Two great-granddaughters Allison Kraus and Maci Kraus, both of Cape Girardeau, MO; and one brother, William David Clay of Tallahassee, FL, one brother-in-law, Robert (Kathy) Kraus of Festus, MO as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of extended family and friends.
Barbara grew up in Portageville, MO and made the best of life in a small town. As a child, she picked cotton and worked in her family’s grocery stores. She graduated from Portageville High School in 1959 and moved to St. Louis shortly thereafter. Her first job was a “soda clerk” at a Barnes Hospital, then a telephone operator at S. Western Bell. She married the love of her life in 1960, Richard H. Kraus of Antonio, MO. They lovingly raised their two children and enjoyed spoiling their grand and great-grandchildren. Barbara loved shopping, baking, calligraphy, gardening, bird watching, cross-stitching, blueberry picking, traveling/cruising and collecting Dept. 56 Christmas Villages. Over the years, she worked as an admin. at Boeing, Sunline Candy Corp. and Anheuser-Busch. Barbara was a 50+ year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a Past Worthy Matron and State Representative. Over the years, she volunteered at St. Luke’s UCC and the Arnold Food Pantry. Barbara loved accompanying her husband to many community functions and nursing homes as he played the accordion (and piano). Barbara and Richard did everything together and lived out “Happily Ever After.” Their love is forever, now together with God in heaven above. She will be dearly missed.
Visitation and Funeral Services will be at: Kutis Funeral Home, South County, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, Mehlville, MO 63129. Visitation: Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and funeral service Friday, September 10, 2021, at 11:00am. Graveside service immediately following, Shepherd Hills Cemetery, 1925 Old State Road M., Barnhart, MO 63012.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Memory Care Home Solutions, 4389 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
So sorry to hear of her passing but it must be true that she & Richard have found each other again in communion with the Lord. My prayers are with them and their loving family. Kay Moss
My sincere condolences to the Kraus family on the recent loss of there beloved Barbara. Treasure all your memories of mom and dad as I am sure you have many.
Barbara has always been a wonderful person and a Eastern Star sister to me.She will be missed.
Sharlene Schlereth ..
We are so sorry for your loss, Stacey & Wanda and Raema & Wayde. No matter how old we are, it is always hard to lose our parents. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss. Know Barb and Richard many years from the old neighborhood in Arnold. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
So very sorry for the entire Kraus & Patton family. She was a great cousin and will be truly missed by all.
I am so sorry for your loss. Barb was a special person that had a strong love for her family! Greeting everyone she met with a smile and a warm welcome. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear about the passing of Barbara. She was a wonderful person who gave with her whole heart. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with her at church in Sunday’s. She was very dedicated to family and friends. She will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Barb was my administrative assistant for all of my 21 years at Anheuser-Busch. But, more importantly, she was also my friend. May God grant her eternal happiness in his presence.
So sorry of Barbara’s passing. She lived a good life and she was always there for her family, and loved the Lord. She was our neighbor for many years, and we have lots of memories of so many nice and thoughtful things she did for us. May Jesus give her family peace and comfort them throughout this great loss.