Louis "Louie" Kraft

Louis “Louie” Kraft, 100 years and five weeks of age, died on February 19, 2023, at his apartment in Library Square, Mandan, ND, under the care of hospice.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Library Square II Chapel in Mandan. Visitation will be on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan.

Louie was born January 10, 1923, at Fort Yates Hospital to Anton J. and Walberga (Schuck) Kraft. He attended rural school in Sioux County until the eighth grade.

Louie met his future wife, Florence Leingang, at a Valentine’s Dance and they were married June 23, 1947. Born to this union were six children; three sons, Keith, Gerard (Louise), and Arnold (Lynnette), and three daughters, Deborah, Marian, and Dana (John); 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 5 step-grandchildren, (Andrew, Gabriel, Rosemarie, Stephanie, Deloris, Eric, Teresa (Dion), Nathan (Brooke), Nicole (Will and children Tyler, Natalie), Kenton (Amy and children Gavin, Garrett), Tanya, Angela (Justin and children Sasha, Devon), Evan, Faune (Trever and children Ruger, Hudson, Braxton), and Mitchell (Danielle and children Alexandria, Lillian). Louie and Florence raised their family on a dairy farm south of Solen, ND. 

One of Louie’s greatest joys was playing pinochle with people of all ages, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Louie was the last surviving member of the Anton J. Kraft family. Louie was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son-in-law, Thomas Humann; daughter-in-law, Victoria; grandson, John Laubach Jr.; four brothers and three sisters and their spouses.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the CHI St. Alexius Hospice Unit for all their love and supportive care during these past weeks.