Henry Kraus was born July 30, 1909, in rural Rush County, KS, to the late William and Eva Elizabeth (Schwartzkopf) Kraus, Sr. He passed away in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital Saturday May 22, 2010, in WaKeeney, KS at the age of 100.


He attended schools in rural Trego County as a young child. He started flight training in Wichita during the Great Depression and earned a student pilot's license, but later had to return to help on the farm during the Dust Bowl years.

On October 30, 1932, Henry was united in marriage to Hermine 'Minnie' Fabrizius in the Zion Lutheran Church. Minnie passed away March 29, 2005. Henry entered long term care in December of 2009, but prior to that, was lovingly cared for in his home for many years by his son, Don.

Henry was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church at Trego Center. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, and was known to read the newspaper from cover to cover. In earlier years, Henry and Minnie loved to travel to Las Vegas and also made many trips to visit family in Texas.

Henry is survived by a daughter, Ruth Cannon and husband, Jay, of Mansfield, TX; five grandchildren, David Kraus and wife, Ashley, Valerie Reyno and husband, Jeff, Steve Kraus, Bryce Cannon and wife, Beth, Sharla McAmis and husband, Joe; four great-grandchildren, Michael and Victoria Kraus, Kamryn and Cole Cannon; and a sister Esther Deines of WaKeeney.


Those preceding him in death were his wife, Minnie; a son, Donald Kraus; a brother, William Kraus, Jr.; and two sisters, Lydia Fabrizius and Pauline Stenzel.

A memorial service for Henry will be held 10:00 AM on Monday, June 7, 2010 in Schmitt Funeral Home at WaKeeney. Interment is in the WaKeeney City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church or the TCLMH Long Term Care & can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.