John Peter Kraft was the fifth child of eight of Peter and Pauline Kraft. He was born and raised on the family farm outside Selfridge, ND. He went into the service 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1960 from the US Army as a Corporal E-4, ER 55 233 951, AMEDS, ASAR.

In 1955, John married LaVonne Harrison and to that union, three children were born, Linda, Shirley and Melody. He later moved to Lead, SD, and was employed at Homestake Mining Company where he retired. But being the hard-working man he was, he went to work as maintenance for Central City, SD, where he resided and could be found mowing, weed eating, snow plowing, and tinkering in the garage.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge where a dance and great time could be had. John also was an active member in the VFW Post 5969 where he could be found on Wednesday burger nite.

John loved to fish, hunt, dance, camp, play cards, snowmobile, shoot pool, and pitch horseshoes. While in the service, he took up boxing. John also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was also a good joker and teaser!

John 88, Central City, died Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade.

John is survived and will be greatly missed by his daughters, Shirley and Mike Strang and Melody and Brian Nelson; grandchildren, Brianna and Matthew McCroden, Casey Nelson, Schelli and Doug Hardesty, and Michael and Marie Strang; great-grandchildren, Payton, Keaten, Kinsly, Shantel, Jessica, Kyle, Ashlin, and Esther; great-great-grandchild, Kynlee; brothers, Joe, Pete (Ann), and Matt (Jeanie); several nieces and nephews; and his fiancee, Eveyln Quenzer.

He was preceded in death by his first born, Linda; his parents, Peter and Pauline; sisters, Wally, Stephena, and Theresa; and brother, Jack.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 7, 2018, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Rev. Bruce Baum officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established.

Click on link to view service folder