Joan Katherine Kraus

SPRING — Joan Katherine Kraus, at the age of 83, slipped away from her family and friends peacefully on November 17, 2012. Attempting to recover from a hip replacement and broken wrist caused by a recent fall, the strain was just more than her heart could take and she was called home 13 years to the day that her mother Katherine Lindholm preceded her in death.
Joan was a 12-year resident of Spring, Texas, having moved there to care for her youngest grandson, Rob Kraus. Her home, however, where she spent her glory years, was Longview, Texas, where she raised five children and had many loving friends. Having worked at Samuel Strapping for more years than she was willing to count, she considered her coworkers her second family. Her love and admiration for them continued to grow over the years as she communicated with them via Facebook.
She was preceded in death not only by her mother, but also her brother, Henry Lindholm, and husband, Phil Kraus.
She leaves behind her five children, Sandy Kraus, Barry Kraus and Eric Kraus, all of Spring, Mike Kraus and spouse, Debbie, and Flip Kraus and spouse, Fran, all of Longview; five grandchildren, Jeff Kraus and spouse, Lauren, Beeper Kraus and spouse, Amanda, and Jake Kraus, all of Longview, Joey Kraus and spouse, Nicole, of Flower Mound and Rob Kraus of Spring; and four great-grandchildren, Carson Kraus and Kingston Kraus of Longview and Jackson Kraus and Ella Mae Kraus of Flower Mound.
Her final wishes were indicative of her entire life, with no bells and whistles, no flowers, no eulogies and very little mourning. She requested cremation, which is under the direction of Calvary Hill Funeral Home in Humble, Texas, and a simple family send-off with food and laughter which will take place at a time and place to be determined.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of choice.