Jerry Gale Kraus

Jerry Gale Kraus, 80, of Ottawa, Kansas died Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

He was born August 24, 1944 in Alta Vista, Kansas the son of Leslie Emil Kraus and Mildred Irene (Sherrer) Kraus.  He graduated from Alta Vista High School with the class of 1962. 

After 7 years together, on June 10, 1994, Jerry was united in marriage to Sheila Schwegman at the Franklin County Courthouse in Ottawa, Kansas.

After working for the state of Kansas for a few years, Jerry began working at Ottawa Truck in 1967.  In 2009, after 43 years, he retired from Ottawa Truck in warranty services.  He later worked part time at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts in Ottawa, Kansas. 

Jerry “attended church” at Lamont Hill Golf Course in Vassar, KS, spending almost every weekend on the course.  He was an avid golfer, even getting a hole-in-one on hole 4.  He was known to have a bottle of Jack Daniels with him on the course, often refilling the same bottle over and over.  Jerry was also known for his pool table playing skills and won many games playing with a broomstick.  He was also a good baseball and softball player.  Jerry was a member of the Ottawa Eagles for many years.  He was a big K-State fan.  Jerry was a jack-of-all-trades, but was known to be a great mechanic and carpenter.  He was always helping his friends and family out on a project.  He had a good sense of humor and was a practical joker.  A friend to all, Jerry never knew a stranger, and a quick trip to Walmart would often take much longer because he would stop and talk to everyone he knew.  He was a great stepdad and was known as “Papa Jerry” to his grandkids.  He loved all his family, friends, and people.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Mildred Kraus; a daughter, Cammie Clark; two brothers, Larry Kraus and Max Kraus; five sisters-in-law, Jeannette Aguirre, Diane Ellison, Linda Schwegman, Cindy Graves, and Erin Schwegman; two brothers-in-law, Jim Schwegman and Don Wolken; and two nieces, Jeannie Ana Aguirre and Maria Allender.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila Kraus of the home; three sons, Bryan Kraus of Ottawa, KS, Christopher Kraus and his wife, Hannah, of Richmond, KS, and Travis Fritts and his wife, Hollie, of Emporia, KS; a daughter, Tracy Roche and her husband, Chris, of Overland Park, KS; eight grandsons, Trenton Kraus, Bryant Clark, Holden Kraus, Dalen Kraus, Christopher Kraus, Connor Roche, John Fritts, and Cole Howey; ten granddaughters, Whitney Kraus, Megan Clark, Addison Kraus, Paetyn Kraus, Amelia Kraus, Viola Fritts, Grace Roche, Ava Howey, Piper Goode, and Amanda Lawhorn; six great-grandchildren, Kodi, Austin, Tristan, Aiden, Gavon, and Lily; three sisters-in-law, Ella Mae Kraus, Cecelia Kraus, and Linda Wolken; and three brothers-in-law, Terry Schwegman and his wife, Linda, Ben Schwegman and his wife, Kathy, and Bob Ellison.

A memorial service will be held 5:30 p.m., Friday, June 6, 2025 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory St, Ottawa, KS 66067.  A visitation will follow from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made out to Sheila Kraus, funds being put toward a memorial bench at Lamont Hill Golf Course, and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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