1924
Bernard
2014
Bernard Kraft
March 30, 1924 — September 26, 2014
Bernard “Ben” Kraft, 90, Bismarck, died September 26, 2014 at his home.
Ben was born March 30, 1924 in Strasburg, ND, the son of Sylvester and Francis (Moser) Kraft. Ben grew up on the family farm in Strasburg along with 13 brothers and sisters. Ben went to school in Strasburg. At the age of 15, Ben went to CC Camp in Miles City, MT. After that he went to Milwaukee, WI and worked there for two years. Then he returned home to help his dad on the farm.
In 1946 he married Jenny Roehrich and together they had six children. Ben started his trucking company in the early 1950’s He started hauling cattle, then grain and since then about everything there is from coast to coast and loved every minute of it. He sometimes had as many as nine trucks and drivers and did all the repairs and servicing of them himself.
He lived and did trucking out of Aberdeen, SD for 23 years. He taught many young men how to drive truck, including his sons who are still driving. That was one of his greatest joys to go trucking with his sons and grandsons. He made many lifelong friends in his trucking career.
On May 17, 1997 he married Linda Boehm and they made their home in Bismarck, ND where he continued his Ben Kraft Trucking business. They had many wonderful trucking trips and vacations together. He retired from his trucking business in December 2011 at the age of 87. Ben was a very respected, kind, loving person who welcomed everyone into his home. Ben enjoyed listening to country music and polka & waltz music while driving. He also enjoyed dancing, playing cards, going to the casino, and going to car and truck auctions. But most of all he loved visiting with friends and family.
Ben is survived by his loving wife Linda, his daughters, Sandra Kraft, St. Petersburg, FL, and Shar (Gene) Dukart, Bismarck, ND; sons, Dennis (Kathy) Kraft, Fargo, ND, Duane (Regina) Kraft, Mandan, ND, Tim (Marla) Kraft, Wilton, ND; stepdaughters Lisa (Darin) Knoll, Leona Kastrow, Bismarck, ND, Lori (Allen) Marxs, Belfield, ND; stepson Les (Donna) Boehm, Watertown, SD; and 22 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Sisters, Eleanor Samson, Bismarck, ND, Viola (Val) Vetter, Frances (Tom) Schmaltz, Jane Bosch, Bismarck, ND, Helen McLoud, Milwaukee, WI, Lorraine Silvernagel, Denton, TX, Jolene (Don) Hahn, Lehr, ND, and Judy (Mick) Brick, Aberdeen, SD; brothers, Mike (Marlys) Kraft, Bismarck, ND, Victor (Linda) Kraft, Milwaukee, WI, and Eugene (Mattie) Kraft, Minot, ND.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Joseph and Albert, one son Kevin, one grand-daughter Brittany, and one step-granddaughter Angie.
Ben was born March 30, 1924 in Strasburg, ND, the son of Sylvester and Francis (Moser) Kraft. Ben grew up on the family farm in Strasburg along with 13 brothers and sisters. Ben went to school in Strasburg. At the age of 15, Ben went to CC Camp in Miles City, MT. After that he went to Milwaukee, WI and worked there for two years. Then he returned home to help his dad on the farm.
In 1946 he married Jenny Roehrich and together they had six children. Ben started his trucking company in the early 1950’s He started hauling cattle, then grain and since then about everything there is from coast to coast and loved every minute of it. He sometimes had as many as nine trucks and drivers and did all the repairs and servicing of them himself.
He lived and did trucking out of Aberdeen, SD for 23 years. He taught many young men how to drive truck, including his sons who are still driving. That was one of his greatest joys to go trucking with his sons and grandsons. He made many lifelong friends in his trucking career.
On May 17, 1997 he married Linda Boehm and they made their home in Bismarck, ND where he continued his Ben Kraft Trucking business. They had many wonderful trucking trips and vacations together. He retired from his trucking business in December 2011 at the age of 87. Ben was a very respected, kind, loving person who welcomed everyone into his home. Ben enjoyed listening to country music and polka & waltz music while driving. He also enjoyed dancing, playing cards, going to the casino, and going to car and truck auctions. But most of all he loved visiting with friends and family.
Ben is survived by his loving wife Linda, his daughters, Sandra Kraft, St. Petersburg, FL, and Shar (Gene) Dukart, Bismarck, ND; sons, Dennis (Kathy) Kraft, Fargo, ND, Duane (Regina) Kraft, Mandan, ND, Tim (Marla) Kraft, Wilton, ND; stepdaughters Lisa (Darin) Knoll, Leona Kastrow, Bismarck, ND, Lori (Allen) Marxs, Belfield, ND; stepson Les (Donna) Boehm, Watertown, SD; and 22 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Sisters, Eleanor Samson, Bismarck, ND, Viola (Val) Vetter, Frances (Tom) Schmaltz, Jane Bosch, Bismarck, ND, Helen McLoud, Milwaukee, WI, Lorraine Silvernagel, Denton, TX, Jolene (Don) Hahn, Lehr, ND, and Judy (Mick) Brick, Aberdeen, SD; brothers, Mike (Marlys) Kraft, Bismarck, ND, Victor (Linda) Kraft, Milwaukee, WI, and Eugene (Mattie) Kraft, Minot, ND.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Joseph and Albert, one son Kevin, one grand-daughter Brittany, and one step-granddaughter Angie.
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