CARL “BUD” EUGENE KRAFT

Carl “Bud” Eugene Kraft, 89, of Corwith passed away on May 26, 2019, at Hospice of Hancock County Memorial Hospital. Carl Eugene Kraft, the son of Carl F. Kraft and Martha (Freerksen) Kraft, was born on July 22, 1929, in Rural Wright County, Boone Township, on the family farm.

Bud attended school at Renwick, Iowa and also attended at Corwith, Iowa. Following his school years he joined his father on the family farm where he pursued his love of farming. The farm operation included raising corn, soybeans, cattle, hogs, and chickens. He also worked at the Ford Garage in Kanawha, Iowa and the Pioneer Cheese Factory in rural Renwick, Iowa. He farmed with his son, Paul Kraft, until his retirement in 1998, and he continued to help on the farm until his death.

Bud married Lois Jean Lundy on August 18, 1951, in Mason City, Iowa. They lived on the farm until the fall of 1996 when they retired and moved to Corwith, Iowa. Bud was baptized in the Renwick Lutheran Church and confirmed in the St. John Lutheran Church in Corwith. He served his community on his church council, the Farm Service Administration Board, and the local elevator board. He had a great love for his family, served as a role model for his many grandchildren, and never turned down a friend in need. Bud had a strong quiet faith by the way he lived and his unwavering belief in God’s promise of eternal life. Bud loved sailing, John Deere machinery, boating, card club with friends, golfing, country music, spending 40+ winters in Texas, and anything motorized.

Left to cherish Bud’s memory are his wife of 68 years, Lois, son, Paul (Kim) of Renwick, daughters Kathy (Mike) Dobbs of Ames, and Julie (Ron) Eekhoff of Renwick. He is survived by grandchildren Darla (Kurt) Packard, Melissa (Jeremy) Toomsen, Stephanie (John) Sonnichsen, Bobby Jo (Ryan) Doyel, Joni (Ryan) Hanigan, Jeri (Corey) VanDeWalle, Toni (Nick) Rice, Teri (Ben) Buckner, Megan (Taylor) Jensen, Benjamin (Mallory) Dobbs, Justin (Sarah) Zimmerman, Jenna (Mike) Zimmerman, Theresa (Jack) Blong, Paula (Mike) Kruger, Crystal (Josh) Engstrom, and SueAnn (Adam) Sadler. He is also loved by 49 great grandchildren. Bud leaves behind his sister, Janice Uhl, brother, Robert (Pat) Kraft, sisters-in-law, Darlene Divan, Joyce Zeigler and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Marlyn Mesenbrink, brothers-in-law Bernie Mesenbrink, Perry Uhl, Lyle Divan, and Jim Zeigler.

Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.