Tony T. Kraft

1942 - 2025

Tony T. Kraft

September 21, 1942 - December 16, 2025

Tony Theodore Kraft, age 83, passed away comfortably with family by his side on December 16, 2025. He was born on September 21, 1942, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to John Adolf Kraft and Stella Amelia (Weisser) Kraft.

Tony has faced multiple battles with cancer over the past two years with remarkable strength, determination, and quiet resilience. He met each challenge head-on, never allowing illness to define him, and continued to focus on what mattered most to him-his wife, family, and the life he loved.

Tony grew up in North Dakota and attended Minot High School in Minot, ND. He went on to earn a two-year degree in Engineering from the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND.

On April 6, 1963, Tony married the love of his life, Marcia, in Beloit, Wisconsin. Their 62 years of marriage were the foundation of his life, and together they built a family filled with love, laughter, and deep devotion.

Tony dedicated nearly 40 years of his professional life to C. G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, a designer and manufacturer of paper converting equipment. Beginning under the leadership of Lyman Bretting and later his son Tad Bretting, Tony helped grow the company from the ground up. Serving as Chief Engineer and Head of Sales, he witnessed and contributed to the company's expansion overseas and its exponential growth. Tony retired in the summer of 2005, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, loyalty, innovation and many lifelong friendships.

He was a proud member of the Elks Club and valued the friendships and camaraderie it provided.

Above all else, Tony's greatest joy was his wife and family. He cherished time spent with them and found happiness in being surrounded by those he loved. He also enjoyed hunting, especially deer and duck hunting and fishing. Tony held a deep love for the Ashland area, Lake Superior, and the wide-open plains of his birth state, North Dakota.

Tony is survived by his wife Marcia Kraft and daughter Sheri (Rick) Hopkins and preceded in death by his son Roger (Susan) Kraft.

Tony is survived by his siblings:

Jim (Carol) Kraft, Betty Huizenga, Mary (Kevin) Johnson, Pat (Jennifer) Kraft, Tom (Barb) Kraft, and Bill (Chris) Kraft.

He was preceded in death by his siblings:

John (Doris) Kraft, Larry (Pam) Kraft, Barney (Amy) Kraft, Dorothy (Les) Marquart, and Laura (Bob) Heinze.

Tony was a proud grandfather to:

Taylor (Joe) Martin, Matthew (Tabitha) Roberts, Allie Kraft, Cailee Kraft, Courtney (Nick) Noik, Brooke (Kenney) Baez, and Roger Allen Kraft.

He was blessed with many wonderful great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 7th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the Gathering Barn 50467 State Hwy 13 Ashland, WI 54806

Tony will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his strong work ethic, his perseverance in the face of adversity, and the quiet strength with which he lived his life. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ashland and Mellen, WI.