Mrs. Elda J. Kraft

Elda Jean Kraft, of Dixon, was born on October 14, 1944, at Charles City, Iowa, a daughter of Rudolph and Vera (Grapp) Engel, and departed this life at 6:28 a.m., on Friday, October 16, 2020, in the Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson City.  She had attained the age of 76 years, and 2 days.

            Elda was united in marriage on February 6, 1964, at Elk Point, South Dakota, to John Merlin Kraft, and to this union, two children were born.

            Growing up in Clarksville, Iowa, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior while attending the Presbyterian Church there and was a 1963 graduate of the Clarksville High School.  The Kraft family moved from Clarksville to Dixon in 1987, where they owned and operated the Fox Crossing Store, near Dixon, for thirty-three years.  Elda never really retired, keeping the store open as long as possible and having to retire due to failing health.  She enjoyed seeing horses and attending the annual Dixon horse show and watching all types of racing.

            Those left to mourn the passing of Elda include: Her children, Marcy Lynn Gosse of Jesup, Iowa, and Rudolph John “Rudy” Kraft and wife, Tina, of Iberia; five grandchildren, Luke Gosse and wife, Lauren, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Ben Gosse of Bondurant, Iowa, Magan Jones and fiancée, Jason Fletcher, of Osage Beach, and Dakota Kraft and wife, Alexus, and Nathan Kraft, all of Iberia; two great-grandchildren, Ava Fletcher and Violet Kraft; two brothers, Arlyn Engel and wife, Mavis, of Janesville, Iowa, and Terry Engel and wife, Jolen, of Clarksville, Iowa; one sister, Vera Lee Kraft and husband, Richard “Dick”, of Clarksville, Iowa; special friend, Paul McCoy, of Dixon; nephews, nieces, with greats as well; and other relatives and friends.

            She was preceded in death by her husband, John, on November 26, 2004; her parents, Rudolph and Vera; and two brothers, Gallen Engel and Lyle Engel.

            Visitation for Mrs. Elda Jean Kraft will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, in the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 105 East Third Street, Dixon, Missouri  65459, with her funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel with Pastor Jack Caple, First Baptist Church, Dixon, officiating.

            Interment will be next to her beloved husband, John, at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, October 22, 2020, in the Greenwood Cemetery, Nashua, Iowa, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Dixon, Missouri.  Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers for Mrs. Kraft will be her grandchildren, Megan Jones, Luke Gosse, Ben Gosse, Dakota Kraft, and Nathaniel Kraft.

            Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Elda Jean Kraft are suggested by her family to the American Cancer Society with envelopes available at the funeral home or in care of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri  65459.

            Online condolences may be shared with the family of Mrs. Elda Jean Kraft at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com