Shirley Ilene Kraft, 81, of Platte, SD, formerly of Wessington Springs, SD, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.
Funeral Services were Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the Olive Presbyterian Church in Platte. A 3:00 P.M. Committal Service followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through www.mountfuneralhome.com.
Shirley Ilene (Bergquist) Kraft was born December 12, 1928 to John and Ebba (Peterson) Bergquist in White Lake, SD. She graduated from White Lake High School and went on to attend Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD.
She taught for a year at a Jerauld County Country School. On October 1, 1948, she was united in marriage to Garfield Kraft at the United Methodist Church in White Lake.
Together they farmed for eight years in the Wessington Springs area before moving into town, where she remained until relocating to Platte in 2004.
Shirley was an active member of the United Church of Christ in Wessington Springs, serving on the Church Board as Treasurer; she belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary; was active in PEO; served on the Wessington Springs Library Board; the Wessington Springs School Board and became a member of the Olive Presbyterian Church in Platte. Her favorite past times included: crossword puzzles, sewing, quilting, reading, gardening, ballroom dancing, bowling, playing games, especially Scrabble and cooking, she was known for her delicious bread.
Grateful for having shared in Shirley’s life: her 9 children: Bruce Kraft of Chelmsford, MA; Joyce Wagner (Del) of Sioux Falls, SD; Carol Weber of Portland, OR; Doris Norton (Larry) of Lenoir City, TN; Neil Kraft of Wessington Springs, SD; Matt Kraft (Cheryl) of Augusta, KS; Kirby Kraft (Alalia) of Imperial, MO; Gayle Nealy (Greg) of Eugene, OR; and Sara Kraft (Tom DeHaan) of Geddes, SD; 20 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; a sister, Agnes Hatfield of Bowie, MD; a brother, Francis Bergquist (Janice) of Rawlins, WY; along with many nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by: her parents, John and Ebba Bergquist; her husband, Garfield Kraft (December 16, 1997); a son-in-law, Wayne Weber; 2 brothers and 5 sisters.
on Feb 26th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Mom – I cherish that week in November that Pixie and I spent with you. I enjoyed your company and the time together!! : )
I am sad that you have left yet I am so happy that I was able to spend time with you during your last days in the Sioux Falls hospital. Mom, I really miss you; I so often look at my phone and just want to call and talk like we did. God Bless You…..we will meet again in Heaven… Your very loving son, Kirby.