James Kraus

James "Jim" L. Kraus, 70, Wahpeton, ND, died Saturday, February 26, 2011 at his home in Wahpeton. A Memorial Service will be Thursday, March 3, at 4:00 PM at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton. Visitation with Jim's family will be from 2 PM to the time of service. Interment will be held in the spring at Veblen, SD.

James L. Kraus was born July 16, 1940 in Breckenridge, MN to Glen and Lorraine (Stai) Kraus. His father was a railroad man so he lived in a number of places but spent the greatest length of time in Carrington, ND. He graduated from Carrington High School in 1958 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was discharged in 1961. Upon his discharge he attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND. In June of 1966 he married Dorcas Evans. The couple lived in northern California where Jim worked as a tax accountant before moving to Sioux Falls, SD where he continued his tax work until November 30, 2002. Dorcas died in 1990. On November 30, 2002 he married Esther Kuntz and the couple moved to Wahpeton in 2008 where Jim worked for H & R Block.

He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND and a Lion member since 1977; serving as a District Governor of District 4C2 from 1987-1988. He was active in all the communities he lived in serving as a Melvin Jones Fellow, MD4 Youth Exchange Committee, a founding member of the Canine Companion for Independence program, Wahpeton Eagles member since May 2009 and was a co-manager with his wife Esther for the Sunday dances at the Eagles.

He is survived by his wife Esther, Wahpeton, step-children, Suzanne (Steve) Tolbert, Breckenridge, MN and Steve Kuntz, Dallas, TX, three step-grandchildren, Emily, Hannah and Christopher Tolbert, three brothers, Don (Helen) Munsen, Veblen, SD, Russell (Fran) Kraus, Denver, C0 and Al (Linda) Vosberg, Minot, ND, special uncle Herald (Chrisa) Kraus, Missoula, MT and several nieces and nephews.

Please feel free to visit our online guestbook at www.vertinmunson.com