Ronald Lee Kraus

Ronald "Reynolds" Lee Kraus, age 77, of Maple River, IA, passed away at home peacefully, after a long battle of Alzheimer's, surrounded by loved ones.
Ronald was born October 15, 1947, to Paul and Marion (Skalla) Kraus. He was the second of 8 brats, if you know the family. He was raised on the farm, by Lidderdale, IA, Fonda, IA, and finally Maple River, IA, where he joined his cousin David Kastle from rural Lidderdale, in "helping" grade the gravel road of N20 before it became a blacktop. He loved spending time with his family at his son, Hudson's acreage, and enjoyed tinkering on the semis.
Ronald graduated from Kuemper High School in 1965, where he walked uphill both ways to school. During high school he was employed at Heider's where he built farm wagons. Ronald was married to his first wife, Diane (Bonnie) in January of 1967. They moved to Germany while Ronald was serving in the Army. They returned to the States in September, 1969. Their son Jeffrey was born two months later, followed by Jennifer in May of 1972. During this time he managed Precast Mfg of Carroll until they closed and he started his own construction company.
In November of 1976, Ronald met Tammy (Graham) and they married in July of 1978 on Lake Okoboji on a pontoon surrounded by family and friends. Ronald and Tammy had two children, Courtney in January of 1980, and Hudson in November of 1983.
Ronald was a man of many trades. He did construction, drove truck, concrete work, and finally worked for many years at American Home Shield as an authorization representative, until his retirement. Ronald's hobbies included fishing, hunting, trapping and raising a little with his friends at Little Gus's in Maple River, IA, known to most as the Sheriff of Maple River, "15 Days Maple River Jail", but that's a Rope Joke, we'll skip it.
Ronald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Tammy (Graham) Kraus, his children, Jeffrey Kraus of Lidderdale, Jennifer (Eric) Brincks and grandchildren Colton, Megan, Madison, and Carter of Glidden, Courtney Kraus and grandchildren Cash, Haley, and Hannah Malloy of Sac City, and Hudson (Carly) Kraus and grandchildren Trace, Lauren, Carson and Colt of Breda. He is survived by siblings Norman, Joyce, Mark and Jerry Kraus of Omaha, NE. Sandra (Buzz) Hoffman of Des Moines, and Sheila (Mark) Border of Fort Dodge and his "little buddy" Max his dog! Ronald is joined in death with his parents Paul and Norma Kraus of Denison and his mother Marion Kraus of Carroll. Grandparents, Frank and Laura (Sievers) Skalla of Scranton, and Fred and Emma (Kennebeck) Kraus of Carroll. He is also joined by his brother James "Tookie" Kraus of Wales, WI, and his favorite cousin, David Kastle, of Lidderdale.
To all that knew Reynolds, he will be greatly missed and remembered as a man with many jokes and as someone who always provided many laughs. Always a man of wisdom, still to this day, as he always said, "Fu*k 'em all but 6, Save 'em for pallbearers."
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Westside Bank, Carroll, Iowa "Ronald Kraus Memorial Fund". To send flowers to the family of Ronald, please visit our floral store.