Richard Harvey Kraus – It is with great sadness that his family announce the passing of Richard Harvey Kraus on Monday, July 12, 2021. He was born on November 15, 1937 to the late Harvey William and Esther (Haefner) Kraus.
He is preceded in death by both his parents; one brother, Ronald Kraus, one sister, Carol (Kraus) Crump, one brother-in-law, Jimmie Clay and one sister-in-law, Janette Clay. He leaves to mourn his wife of 60 years, Barbara Jane (Clay) Kraus; 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; One brother, Robert (Kathy) Kraus of Festus, MO and one brother-in-law, William David Clay of Tallahassee, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of extended family and friends.
Richard grew up on a farm in Antonia, MO. He graduated from Herculaneum High School in 1955. He made St. Louis his home and answering a call for a blind date, met the love of his life, Barbara Jane Clay of Portageville, MO. They were married in 1960. He was an industrial electrician and worked at US Steel and Granite City Steel most of his career. He was drafted and served in the US Army right after getting married. Richard and Barbara raised two children. Richard was very proud to be a Master Mason and earned his 60th anniversary pin in 2020. He and Barbara also served in the Eastern Star, both Past Patron/Matron. Richard loved brightening up people’s days by playing the accordion (and piano) at many community functions and nursing homes. Richard enjoyed singing in the church choir and volunteered with: Meals on Wheels, Arnold Historical Society and the Arnold Aging and Disability Committee. Rich and Barb thoroughly enjoyed traveling and cruising, bowling, collecting Dept. 56, blueberry picking, volunteering at church and lending a hand to anyone in need. He was the sweetest and kindest man, one who never met a stranger. God now has our dad with Him in heaven and he will be dearly missed.
Services: Visitation and Funeral Services will be at: Kutis Funeral Home, South County, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, Mehlville, MO 63129. Visitation: Thursday, July 15, 2021, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and funeral service Friday, July 16, 2021, at 11:00am.
Graveside service with military honors on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 12:00pm, Shepherd Hills Cemetery, 1925 Old State Road M., Barnhart, MO 63012.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8018. Or please consider giving the gift of life by donating blood at any American Red Cross location.
So sorry to hear about Richard. Have known him and his family for years. My condolences to Barbara and all the Kraus family.
Our condolences to this precious family. Richard has left the land of the dying and moved to the land of the living. We look forward to the next time we see him.
My condolences to the family of Richard Kraus, one of the kindest people I ever met. Barb and Raema my thoughts are with you and your whole frmily
Beloved choir member and friend. To meet him was to know him as a friend immediately. A wonderful man that will be missed.
Condolences to his family, Jean
So sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
My condolences to the entire Krauss family. It was a pleasure and honor to have sung with Richard in the choir. Barbara, I know Richard loved you so much as he sat in the choir loft and talked about you and would always wave to you as if to say I’m here and I see you. I’m sure he’s still waving to you.
to the kraus family
i have known Richard for 2 years now i was his sever at friendship village he made me laugh and smile all the time when i went by to him to ask what he wanted to drink i always gotten his coffee and iced tea ready when he came down for lunch and dinner he was the most sweetest thing ever i even called him my grandpa i am sending payers your guys way
sincerely,
cora
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve missed having Richard sing with us in the church choir. He always had a warm smile and greeting for each of us. Barbara would always come to practice and listen. May you feel God’s presence with you all as you deal with your loss.
Sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. He always had a smile to give and I never heard him say anything bad about anyone. A real gentleman and great neighbor.
Rich was a model for us all in his kindness and love and good nature. What a lovely man and how lucky we are for having known him. We are sending our sympathy and prayers.
Martha and Ray Bohlmann
So sorry to hear about Richard. He was a very friendly and kind person, who was appreciated by myself and the other church choir members. We will all miss him.
Blessing–Carl Heine
I’m so sorry for your loss! Rich was a caring man. Rich loved his wife, Barbara and treated her like a queen. He was a great dad to his son Stacey and daughter Raema, would go to the ends of the earth to help, in their time of need. Family and friends have lots of memories, that no one can take from them, about Richard Harvey Kraus, I am one of them! You have my deepest sympathy! God Bless.
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad, Stacey. It’s always hard to lose a parent, no matter how old we are. Know that we are praying for you and your family. If we can do anything to help, please just let us know.
With deepest sympathy,
Ralph and Carol
I am so sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. He was such a kind sweet soul. I served them almost everyday when him and Barb were in independent living at Friendship Village. I always looked forward to seeing them. My condolences to the family.
So very sorry about Rich. We have known him and his family including his parents for many years. He was a great and friendly neighbor and will be so missed by many. May our Lord Jesus give you peace and comfort at this time.
With sympathy,
Gary and Sandy Salger