Frank Leo Kraft, the son of Fred and Mary (Heit), was born on September 16, 1932 in the rural Rolette County, North Dakota home of his parents.  He passed away peacefully with family by his side at the age of 85 years on Friday, June 1, 2018 at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota. 

Frank was raised in the home of his parents and attended Dewey School #2 for seven years and finished at Cleveland School both in Rolette County.  He served in the US Army from February 1957 to February 1959 and was in the Army reserve until his honorable discharge on July 31, 1963.  On October 28, 1959 he was united in marriage to Elaine Haugen at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Fulda, North Dakota.  The couple made their home in Minot for a year while Frank helped build housing units at the Minot Air Force Base until its completion in 1960.  The family then moved to Rugby, where he worked with the construction of Andrew’s Steak House, and once completed, he became its manager, a position he held until 1968.  With his growing family, he knew it was time to change occupations and find a career with more family friendly hours.  He chose sales.  For the next 20 years, he sold International Harvester farm equipment for Pierce Implement and Hoffart Equipment.  In 1987, he continued his sales career at M.J. McGuire, Inc., selling vehicles until his retirement on his 74^th birthday. He took great pride in his many repeat customers that would drive many miles just to purchase their vehicle from him. Frank had a strong work ethic, a trait he instilled in his children.  Frank was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and had served on the church council for several terms.  He also enjoyed being a charter member of the Rugby Eagles and a member with the Clarence A. Larson American Legion Post #23.

Frank was passionate about his children and grandchildren and would often be seen checking up on each one during his daily drives throughout Rugby.  Although he thoroughly enjoyed seeing his grandchildren succeed with extracurricular activities, nothing was more important to him than their education.  When he wasn’t tinkering on something in his workshop, he enjoyed outdoor activities including gardening and yardwork.  Frank always looked forward to treating his family to his famous borscht soup when the vegetables were ready each summer. His vivid memory blessed everyone with stories of the past.  

Frank is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Gary (Suzy), Tammy (Steve) Brossart, Mary Ann (Donald) Jaeger, Patricia (Brian) Paul, all of Rugby, Mike (Patricia) of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada and Brad (Kim) of Fargo; grandchildren, Sydney and Noah Kraft, Gary, Scott (fiancée Hannah), Andrew, Jordan and Kristina Brossart, Derek, Jessica and Cassandra Jaeger, William (Nicole), Emily and Abigail Paul, Lucas, Ryan and Easton Kraft; one great grandchild on the way; sisters, Josephine Lommen and Margaret Stone, both of Surrey; sister-in-law, Lois Kraft of Grand Forks; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Andrew, Edward and John; brothers-in-law, Bertram Lommen and Orris Haugen; sisters-in-law, Alice Kraft and Marie Haugen; and his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9^th at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial in the church cemetery.  Father Tom Graner, Celebrant.

The Military Honors Accorded by:  Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 Honor and Color Guard, Rugby, North Dakota and North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Detail

Visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday with a rosary and prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue Saturday at the funeral home from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.  There will be no reviewal at the church.