Harriet Cracraft Stout

1919 - 2017

Harriet Cracraft Stout

passed away on February 21, 2017, in Indianapolis, IN. The daughter of Edward B. Cracraft and Edith Coleman Cracraft, Mrs. Stout (b. 1919) was born and raised in Indianapolis and attended Shortridge High School.

Mrs. Stout attended Indiana University from 1936 to 1939, where she met her husband, William J. Stout, who was executive vice president of L.S. Ayres & Co. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and the R.O.T.C. She later attended Washington and Lee University for officer's training in the Women's Army Corp (WAC).

In 1942, Mrs. Stout formally enlisted in the U.S. WAC, attaining the rank of captain and serving as a recruiter while stationed in Boston, MA. After the war, she returned home and became an active member of the Republican Party.

Mrs. Stout was the executive director of the Indiana League of Women Voters and the first female member of the Indianapolis County Council. Additionally, she served two terms in the Indiana General Assembly from 1955 to 1959.

Her other political activities included being chairperson of the Indiana Women for Eisenhower and an alternate delegate for the 1956 Republican National Convention. She was co-chairperson of the Re-Elect Bill Bray for Congress committee in 1966.

Mrs. Stout's appointments included the State Salary Commission, the Governor's Residence Commission, and co-chairperson of the 1987 district Bi-Centennial of the United States' Constitution committee.

In addition to her formal appointments, Mrs. Stout's civic activities included serving on the Board of Trustees for Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. In Indianapolis, she served on the Long-Range Planning Commission, Crime Commission, Child Guidance Clinic (charter member), Cancer Board, Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Juvenile Court Advisory Council, and the Board of Directors for the Child Guidance Clinic. She was also a member of the Junior League of Indianapolis. She was selected Outstanding Junior League member and was listed in the first edition of Marquis' Who's Who of American Women.

Mrs. Stout is survived by her son, David, and grandson, Andrew, both of Candler, NC; daughter, Karen, of Denver, CO; and granddaughter, Kathryn Stout and great-granddaughter, Penelope Oliver, both of Raleigh, NC.

According to Mrs. Stout's wishes, there will be no visitation. Inurnment and brief remarks will be held at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. In lieu of flowers, per the family's request, donations may be made to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, which held great sentimental value to her and her grandchildren.