DeLoris M. Kraft

DeLoris M. Kraft, 80, went to be with the Lord on September 3, 2014, at Sanford Medical Center, Bismarck. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at Century Baptist Church in Bismarck with Rev. Dr. Gordon Stork officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. DeLoris was born on February 26, 1934, the only girl and the youngest of four children, to Samuel and Hannah Hughes in Ransom County, Township Coburn. DeLoris attended and graduated from Sheldon schools. She then furthered her education in Valley City, ND, and after graduation began teaching in various schools in North Dakota with the majority of her teaching career being in the Tuttle, Robinson, and Hurdsfield area. She last taught in the Braddock area in the late 1970's. In the fall of 1953, DeLoris met Arnold Kraft, and they were married on June 16, 1957, in Sheldon, ND. They resided in Tuttle, ND, where DeLoris helped with farming duties and tended to a garden and flowers. In 1972 they moved to Steele where Arnold was sheriff of Kidder County until 1985. In the year 1979 they were on their way home from a teaching meeting when they were involved in a three car motor vehicle accident that left DeLoris with traumatic injuries. She was in a coma for a little over two months and when she came out of the coma she was taken to Grand Forks for rehabilitation and also attended the school for the blind in Devil's Lake. In 1983 DeLoris returned to Steele and was taken care of for a short time in her home. In 1984 she was moved to a care center in Mandan and then in 1996 she and Arnold moved to Primrose assisted living center where Arnold cared for her with the help of Myrna Meidinger. In 2005 DeLoris also started to receive care from Quality Home Care. In 2011 they moved from Primrose into their own apartment where 24 hour care was provided. DeLoris had many hobbies and interests, some of which in her early years included farming, ceramic work, and sewing. She also had a love of children which led her into teaching. She also loved to hear and tell riddles. In late 1984 DeLoris and Arnold purchased their first motor home thus leading to her love of traveling. Although she could not see, she had some very special people being her eyes and telling her of all the sights. She got to visit most of the US, her favorite being Alaska. She also got to all of the Canadian provinces. Her North Dakota favorites included Medora, The Hostfest, which she last visited in 2013, and the MCC sales in Harvey where she purchased many quilts to bless others with. DeLoris had a kind heart and a generous nature and lived a life for, to and with the Lord. She loved being read scripture and daily devotionals. Deloris's husband would like to give special thanks to Lorraine Weber and Leon and Myrna Meidinger for being Deloris's eyes on her travels, also to Leon and Myrna for contributing so much more to Deloris's life. Also a special thanks to Toni Riveland Quality Home Care and her staff for providing the care they have. DeLoris is survived by her husband, Arnold; two sisters-in-law, Carmen Hughes and Karen Hughes; one nephew; and one niece. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Lyle, Richard, and Dennis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Century Baptist Church.

DeLoris M. Kraft

February 26, 1934 - September 3, 2014