John Kraker

John A. Kraker Sr. "Jack", age 82, of Melrose, died peacefully on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 17 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vincent Lieser officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Jack Kraker was born October 4, 1925 in Melrose to Alphonse and Minnie (Schwegman) Kraker. On January 11, 1950 he married Lorraine Bussmann at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Jack owned and operated Jack's Lunch and Pool Hall in Melrose prior to founding Kraker Insurance and Real Estate in Melrose in 1948. Jack served in the United States Army during World War II, serving in Italy and Germany. He enjoyed spending his summers at the family cabin on Big Birch Lake. Jack was known for his sense of humor, quick wit and love for people and will be remembered for the twinkle in his eyes, his warm smile, love of sports, especially the Twins and the Vikings, and his love for the family dogs. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, the American Legion Post 101, and a member of the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050. During the last five years Jack resided at Pine Villa Nursing Home in Melrose.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; children, John (Maggie) Kraker of Alexandria, Mary (Richard) Horn of Melrose, Mike (Etta) Kraker of Melrose, Bob Kraker of St. Paul, Jim (Jane) Kraker of Grey Eagle, Donald Kraker (special friend, Tami Woolridge) of Melrose, Jean (Bill) Anderson of Grey Eagle, Joan (Doug) Baer of Brooklyn Center, Chuck (Moni) Kraker of Melrose, Pam (Tom) Atkinson of Albany, Pat (Jan) Kraker of Walker, and Bill (Kalli) Kraker of Alexandria; 32 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; brother, Donald Kraker of Melrose; and sister, Mary Louise Swan of St. Louis, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Anne Kraker, July 21, 1972; great-grandson Dominic Kraker October 5, 2001; and brother, Joe Kraker.

Serving as casket bearers will be his sons, John Jr., Mike, Bob, Jim, Don, Chuck, Pat, and Bill. Cross bearer will be Kayla Anderson and scripture bearer will be Katie Kraker.