ALBERT M. KRAFT

Prosser Funeral Home & Crematory

Albert M. Kraft, of Prosser, passed away November 2, 2010, after a valiant fight to recover from a severe case of pneumonia. He was born in Hebron, North Dakota, to Stephen and Mary (Mearshbecker) Kraft on November 7, 1925. He would have celebrated his 85th birthday on Sunday.

He lived with his farming family in Hebron until the age of 12 when they moved briefly to Portland, Oregon, and then to Toppenish where they took up sugar beet farming. As a young man, he began working at a local nursery, where he continued to work after he met and married the love of his life, Dorothy I. Dorr, in 1946. He and his new bride lived in Toppenish before he began farming in Mabton in 1951. In 1956,they moved to Whitstran where he ran a dairy and grew corn, barley and alfalfa. During the fall and winter of 1959, he drove a gas truck for Bleyhls Farm Service, delivering gas to local farmers. He purchased a larger farm in Prosser in 1961 where he continued his dairy business and raised cattle, corn and alfalfa. It was also in that year that he began working at Twin City Foods, first in the corn and peas, then later in the asparagus, working very long hours driving to Eltopia daily to bring in produce from the farmers in that area. When Twin City Foods began processing potatoes, he spent the rest of his time with them as a fryer operator, retiring in 1991.

He was an active member of Sacred Heart Church and a long time member of the Teamster's Union, the Sunnyside Eagles, and the Twin City Foods Retiree Breakfast Club.

Al's greatest hobby was attending local farm auctions. He didn't necessarily want to buy anything but he took great pleasure in just looking. However, at one local farm sale he ended up bringing home an entire shed full of shovels and hoes! Browsing at Harbor Freight Tools was another 'hobby' he enjoyed. He was an avid reader of western novels and spent many hours watching old TV programs like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Matlock, Heat of the Night, and Murder She Wrote. It was not often that you did not find him sitting in HIS recliner doing just that, most likely snacking on one of his favorite sweets breakfast rolls, cherry turnovers, lemon pie or home-made apple pie!

Albert is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Dorothy Kraft of Prosser; his son, Michael (Tami) Kraft of College Place; his daughters, Cindy Kraft and special companion, Dick of Aitkin, MN; Kathy (Tanner) Brown of Richland, Trisha (Micky) Rott of Julian, CA; and Nancy Jo Rice of Shoreline; his grandchildren, Brandy Voorhees of Snohomish, Corie (Bart) Schorer of Finley, Jeremy Kraft of College Place, Brian Kraft of Clearwater, MN., Erin (Jeff) Hosler of Richland, Eric Kraft of College Place, Lindsey Brown of Tacoma, Megan Rice of Shoreline., Michael Rice of Shoreline, and Sara Rott of Julian, CA; and great-grandchildren Madeline and Vale Voorhees of Shoreline Daymian and Brooklynne Kraft of College Place, Keagan Kraft of Clearwater, MN., Kolby and Colter Schorer of Finley; and one sister, Dorothy (Andy) Andersen of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Joe, George, and Alvin; and sister Esther Myers.

This gruff, yet kind, explosive, yet quiet Husband, Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa,and friend, will be gone only from our sight but will forever be in our thoughts and in our hearts. Al labored very hard all his life, even to the very end, and has earned his place in the arms of God.

The family would like to thank all who took the time to visit, comfort and spend time with him and his family during his month long battle to remain with us all. A special thank you goes to the many nurses and doctors who tended to Al at Kadlec Regional Medical Center and the wonderful, caring staff at Richland Life Care Center.

Viewing will be held Prosser Funeral Home, 1220 Sheridan Avenue, on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, beginning at 1 p.m. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 10, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1905 Highland Drive in Prosser. Concluding services and burial will follow at the Prosser Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church, the Prosser Boys and Girls Club, or to the charity of your choice. Prosser Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.