13 Jan Lillian Kraft
Lillian Kraft, 90, died peacefully in a Bismarck hospital on January 10, 2023, with family by her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, located at 1919 N 2nd St in Bismarck with burial at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. A livestream of the mass will be available on the Church of Corpus Christi website. Visitation will be Monday, January 16 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Bismarck Funeral Home with a rosary/vigil service beginning at 6:00 PM.
Lillian was born on October 6, 1932, in Linton, ND to Ben and Barbara Glass (Baumgartner) as one of eight children. She was united in marriage to Edward Kraft Sr. on November 6, 1950, and moved to Minneapolis, MN to begin their life together. They returned to Bismarck, ND in 1955 with three children and moved into a new home on North 7th Street where they raised a total of eight children.
Lillian positively changed the lives of countless generations, offering her unconditional love, guidance, and infinite patience. Her empathetic nature included the unique ability to calm a screaming baby, reason with a sassy toddler and successfully get everyone to clean up a mess simultaneously! Her love for children led her to become a home daycare provider for decades, fulfilling an essential parental role in the lives of grandkids, friends, and neighbors.
In addition to raising children into responsible adults, she could raise just about anything that “might” grow in the Northern Plains. Her garden stretched entirely across her backyard and annually yielded a bumper crop of delicious fruits and vegetables. A variety of beautiful flowers encircled her entire house, which continue to thrive around Bismarck as she generously allowed anyone to dig up a bulb or root and transplant her precious gems into their own yard.
Lillian loved family gatherings at her home and frequently served up tasty German traditional meals. As she cared for generations of children, she was frequently found sitting at her sewing machine making her own clothes, sewing kid’s clothes, or stitching Barbie clothes for her grandkids. During the summer months, she and Edward would pull their fishing boat to Lake Sakakawea or Beaver Bay to fish for walleye. Lillian typically caught the most fish and even won several whopper badges!
Lillian is survived by her five daughters and two sons; Margaret Kiefer, Bismarck, Eileen Bavendick (Tom Parson), Bismarck, Lory Nelson (Russ), Bismarck, Marci Schorsch (Ron), Bismarck, Colleen Fortino (Vic), Bartlett IL, Gary (Lahna), Glen Ullin, Joe (Brandi), Colorado Springs CO; daughter-in-law, Donna Kraft, Detroit Lakes MN; brothers, Bill Glass (Marie) and Clarence Glass; brother-in-law, Herman Wolf and sister-in-law, Marlene Kraft; 20 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Lillian is preceded in death by her husband (1999); parents; son, Edward Kraft Jr.; two brothers, Leo and Roy Glass; and three sisters, Isabel Kuhn, Alicia Kramer and Viola Wolf.
In lieu of plants or flowers, memorials are preferred to https://designergenesnd.com/ (Down Syndrome Support Network-ND) or www.wish.org/northdakota (Make-a-Wish).
When I was assigned to Corpus Christi Church as a new priest, I went up several times to visit Lillian at the nursing home. She was always pleasant and kind. Her children were very attentive and involved in her care which I’m sure brought her comfort and peace. I was also a classmate in school of her daughter Colleen. Your mom is now at peace with clarity of mind, resting in the presence of Jesus Christ her Savior. Know of my prayers for your entire family. Father Mark Aune
Aunt Lil’s was the place to go whenever we came for our annual visit to North Dakota. We descended on her with extra cousins and lots of extra work but she always had a smile and a welcome for us. One time our parents all decided to butcher a pig and make sausage head cheese and other german goodies I remember uncle Ed and my Dad carrying that half a pig down the basement and then the horrible smell when they started cooking the brains to make the head cheese. We were Mpls girls and had never had the pleasure of seeing such things or smelling them We spent a lot of time outside that day!! I’m sure there was so much extra work by the time they got done but Lil never complained. Then when the work was done out came the music and the singing and the beer. The house was always filled with music and laughter and canned goods from Lil’s enormous garden She loved little ones and was always surrounded by them. She especially loved babysitting for her granddaughter in her later years. We used to go to Krolls whenever it was buy one get one free and loved those milkshakes and then it was a trip to the local thrift store. She was a beautiful kind loving sweet woman and no one ever deserved to earn her wings more then Aunt Lil. Rest in peace and enjoy the beautiful music!!!
Lillian, you always had the best stories and the best laugh. You had a fun sense of humor and a wild, loving spirit. I enjoyed every minute spent caring for you. You will be dearly missed and are loved.
RIP my dear neighbor, you were always so patient and kind to me…thank you for a life well lived and for impacting mine in such a positive way.