Dorothy I. "Dottie" (Reinecke) Kraus

Dorothy I. “Dottie” Kraus

Dorothy I. “Dottie” Kraus, age 97, formerly of Hays, died Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska.

She was born August 14, 1925 in Fort Scott, Kansas to Herman Sr. and Grace (Reinecke) Harris.  She graduated valedictorian from Kinsley High School, Kinsley, Kansas in 1943 and Fort Hays State University with a BS degree in home economics in 1947.  She married Kenneth Kraus on June 1, 1947 in Hays, Kansas.

Dottie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hays and served on many committees in the church through the years. She was a lifetime member of Fort Hays State University Alumni Association, Fort Hays Half Century Club, Chapter #228 Eastern Star, a lifetime member of the national sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma for over 27 years, lifetime member of the Hays Medical Center auxiliary, and in 1983, she and her husband were awarded the Kansas Master Farmer/Homemaker for Ellis County.  In addition to her many service and volunteer activities she was a dedicated and devoted help to her husband Ken.  While maintaining the family home she ran numerous farming errands, did chores around the farm, and kept all the books so necessary for a dairy business.  In spite of being a busy farmer’s wife she and Ken made time to attend many basketball and football games at Fort Hays and were very supportive fans of the Tigers! Her most favorite activities, however, were with family, traveling, and especially spending time with her grandchildren. Also, Dottie always expressed how proud she was to be married to such a wonderful husband, Ken, and having celebrated nearly 74 years of marriage.

Survivors include her daughter, Pam (Gordon) Henrickson of Omaha, NE, son, Steve (Pattie) Kraus of Atlanta, GA, grandchildren, Aaron (Ruthie) Henrickson and Emily Kraus, great grandchild, Nate Jarrow, two cousins, Max and Dennis Reinecke, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ken, her parents, and two brothers, Vern and Herman Harris Jr.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Fort Hays Memorial Gardens with Rev. Delbert Stanton officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:30 am until 10:45 on Wednesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested and payable to Hays First United Methodist Church or to Fort Hays State Alumni Association, and can be sent to Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, KS  67601.  Condolences and memories of Dottie may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

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