RANSOM — Father David H. Kraus, 72, a retired priest of the Diocese of Dodge City, died April 28, 2013, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He was born Aug. 3, 1940, in Ransom, the son of Hugo and Alice (Hilmes) Kraus. He graduated from Arnold High School, and attended St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, before transferring to Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo. There he earned bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Sacred Theology.
He earned his master’s degree in Theology at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He was ordained at St. Aloysius Church in St. Aloysius Church at Ransom on May 21, 1967, by Bishop Marion F. Forst. In 1989, he was granted a J.C.L. degree in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he graduated cum laude.
He served as an associate pastor at St. Patrick, Great Bend (1967-69); Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dodge City (1969-71); St. Anthony, Liberal, (1971-73); and Sts. Peter and Paul, North Kinsley, and St. Patrick, Great Bend (1983-84).
Father Kraus served as pastor or administrator in the following parishes: St. Joseph, Greensburg, and St. George, Bucklin, (1973-76); St. John, Meade, and St. Patrick, Plains (1976-81); St. Joseph, Offerle, and St. Mary’s, Hodgeman County (1981-83 and 1990-91); Sacred Heart, Larned, (1983-87); St. Anthony, Lakin, and Christ the King, Deerfield (1989-90); St. Andrew, Wright (1991-95) with St. George, Bucklin, (1994-95); St. Helen, Hugoton, (1995-96); St. Joan of Arc, Elkhart (1995-2000); and St. Joseph, Scott City, and St. Theresa, Dighton (2000-2004). He retired to Ransom in 2004.
Father Kraus served the diocese as chancellor (1990-93), and moderator of the curia and vicar general (1991-93), and adjutant judicial vicar of the marriage tribunal (1991-93). At the time of his death, he was a member of the Presbyterial Council and served the Tribunal as Defender of the Bond.
Survivors include brothers: Michael (Mary) Kraus,  John (Susan) Kraus,  Patrick(Kay) Kraus, and Mark Kraus, all of Ransom; and sisters: Nancy Foust, Victoria, Jeanette (Fred) Flax, Ransom, Julie (Marvin) Kramer, Garden City and Annette (Brian) Lang, Solomon.
Visitation is at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and at St. Aloysius Church, Ransom, 2:30 p.m. until service time on Wednesday. Rosary will be at St. Aloysius Church, Ransom, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by the Vigil at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is at St. Aloysius Church, Ransom, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, with Bishop John B. Brungardt presiding. Burial will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery, Ransom, Ness County.
Memorials can be given to St. Aloysius Church or the Children’s Fund at the Catholic near East Welfare Association. Words of sympathy and support may be left for the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
 Fitzgerald Funeral Home**
207 N Pennsylvania Ave.
Ness City, KS  67560
785-798-3243
Great Bend (Kans.) Tribune, May 1, 2013