Louis Kraus

Louis "Lou" Thomas Kraus, age 76, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025 surrounded by, and in the embrace of, his loving family at Michigan Medicine's University Hospital.
In accordance with his final wishes, there will be a limited 1-hour visitation commencing at 10:00 A.M. on Monday November 10, 2025 located within St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, which is located at 530 Elizabeth Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104. This brief 1-hour visitation will be followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 A.M. celebrated by the Rev. Fr. James P. Conlon of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, who magnanimously vacated his prior commitments to celebrate with those mourning at St. Thomas the Apostle. In fraternity and charity, the Knights of Columbus, Council 587, agreed to make members present at the funeral mass to honor Lou, and the Altar Rosary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle, known more famously as the "Kitchen Ladies", have lovingly and graciously agreed to host a lunch after mass for all those present in the Parish Hall starting at 12:30 P.M.
Lou was born on October 10, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to a mother full of strength, Barbara (Butcher) Lute, with whom Lou was blessed to have shared each day of his long life. Lou was adopted by his mother's second husband, Ronald Calvin Kraus, at 3 years old. Lou was the eldest of three sons, and he grew up alongside his brazen younger brothers, Larry and Michael Kraus.
As a son in the military, Lou moved often with his family as they were stationed around the United States and the world. Lou's early years were spent at Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, North Carolina, and he was briefly in Germany for one year. After the passing of his father, killed in action, on August 12, 1965, during the Vietnam War, the family returned to the city of Detroit to be near relatives as Lou's mother endeavored to raise her three young boys alone. Lou and his brothers attended Holy Redeemer Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1967 before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968 to participate in the same conflict that claimed his father's life. He served his country honorably until being discharged in 1971. A few years after returning home, Lou welcomed his first and treasured daughter, Susan Elaine McClain (Kraus), into the world on September 12, 1974.
Applying his knowledge of electronics gained from his military service, Lou attended Henry Ford Community College and later earned his associate degree from Washtenaw Community College. In 1984, Lou started his career as a Biomedical Engineering Technician at the University of Michigan Hospital, where he was known for his adept skill at quickly repairing electronic medical equipment. Lou considered his career in healthcare to be a vocation of service to others, and he took much pride in what he did. While at work, Lou developed an unbreakable bond of fraternity with Daniel (Danny) Tamaian, who Lou considered a brother and called him by the moniker "Uncle Danny". Lou retired from University of Michigan Health in 2016 after 32 years of uninterrupted service.
Lou met the love of his life, Patricia "Trish" Kraus (Healey), in 1981, at a company called City X-Ray, when Lou was lucky enough to help teach Trish how to make a pot of coffee. After six years of dating, including time spent learning to play the guitar, they married on August 29, 1987. Together, they made their home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After a year of marriage, they welcomed their first and only son, Louis Thomas Kraus, Jr., into their family on February 15, 1988. Soon thereafter, Trish and Lou completed their family with the birth of their beloved baby daughter, Laura Catherine Kraus, on March 15, 1989. Their home was one full of love, laughter, and song. Each day that he drew breath, Lou remained a devoted father and husband who supported his family and challenged each of them to become better versions of themselves. Notwithstanding this focus on continuous improvement, Lou would often say, jokingly, "I'm not a perfect man", and Trish would often agree rather enthusiastically. Despite the risible banter of words, Trish truly loved Lou with all of her heart, and she was lucky enough to have been married to a man who profoundly loved her in equal measure. On his death bed and close to his final hours, Lou selflessly asked if his wife, Trish, had slept well. His emphasis on her health, and not his own condition, demonstrates his love for her in action.
Outside of work and family, Lou was a man of many passions. Artistic at heart, he loved playing the piano and guitar. Although he struggled to stay on key, he sang as though an audience waited to applaud. Lou especially adored the musical style of what he thought was the quintessentially cool Dean Martin, and he always had Dean's songs playing in the background, even to the chagrin of his children when picking them up from school. In fact, Lou's love of Dean Martin's music can still be heard in his 9-month-old grandson, Louis Thomas Kraus III, who struggles to fall asleep each night unless "Baby Lou" hears the Dean Martin song titled "Houston". Outside of playing his music, Lou was an amateur artist who could draw moderately well, and he was an avid deer hunter. Lou owned property up north in God's country (near West Branch, MI) where you could find him each Opening Day of firearm season spending time with his cherished neighbors Mike and Cindy. He also enjoyed spending time with his mother at MotorCity Casino. The pair could spend hours there being hopelessly social with total strangers while getting lost in the fun they had playing random slots, and they consistently claimed promotional Tchotchkes that neither needed, but both wanted, because they were free.
Lou's Catholic faith played a central role in his life and remained a north star as he raised his family. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where he was registered as a parishioner and served as Grand Knight and Treasurer for over 25 years. During his time in the Knights of Columbus organization, he earned the friendship of Tom Booms, who never strayed from Lou's side as his health failed, but instead took on any work, chore, or burden that Lou needed, and Tom's selfless acts in Lou's final years deserve recognition and praise. Lou's devotion to prayer, especially the Rosary, was an inspiring and defining part of his faith and a revered act of Marian devotion, which strengthened his integrity and made him a living example for his children to follow.
He is survived by his loving wife, Trish Kraus; his children, Susan (Steve) McClain, Louis (Roshalle) Kraus Jr., and Laura Kraus; his mother, Barbara Lute; his grandchildren, McKenna McClain, Emma McClain, and Louis Kraus III; and many nieces and nephews.
Lou was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Kraus; his stepfather, Thomas Lute; his brothers, Larry (Jackie) Kraus and Michael Kraus.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Father Carey Scholarship Foundation, which is a scholarship fund established to provide financial, spiritual, and moral assistance for parishioners who desire to attend St. Thomas School. Lou was fond of this scholarship fund because it extended the benefit of a strong Catholic education to families and children with need, which helps meritorious students achieve the American Dream. Please consider donating here: Father Carey Scholarship Foundation.