Elden M. Kraft, 83, died Aug. 31 at Great Bend Regional Hospital. Born Jan. 13, 1928 in rural Hodgeman County, he was the son of Carl and Matilda (Popp) Kraft. On Jan. 1, 1949 he married Laura Fairbank in Bazine. A resident of Great Bend since 1954, coming from Dodge City, he was a supervisor for Centel Electric in Great Bend until his retirement.

Mr. Kraft was a veteran of the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. He was a member of the St. Mark Lutheran church, the American Legion Post 180, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Great Bend.

Survivors include his wife, Laura Kraft, of the home; a son, Marlin Kraft of Germantown, Md.; two daughters, Marlane Haberman and husband Marvin and Lavada Kraft, both of Great Bend; a sister, Earlene Knox of Clifton; a brother, Leo Kraft of Chillicothe, Mo.; four grandchildren, Marcie Mattson, Brian Haberman, Angie Cook, and Liberty Dictson; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence Kraft and Leonard Kraft.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Great Bend with Pastor Adam Wutka officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend Cemetery with Military Honors by the United States Naval Guard. Friends may visit from 1 to 9 p.m. on Monday with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the St. Mark Lutheran Church in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home *

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Sept. 2, 2011