Joseph F. Kraus, 85, of Union Grove, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026, at Oak Ridge Care Center.
Born in Kenosha on May 15, 1941, he was the son of Frank and Grace (nee Rasmussen) Kraus. Joe grew up in Kenosha. He graduated from Central High School in Salem, WI in 1960 and went to Gateway Technical School, graduating in 1986 with a certificate in Mechanical drafting. On February 16, 1963, he was united in marriage to Carol Roder at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Racine. Following their marriage, they resided in Lake Park, Racine until 1974 when they moved to Sturtevant before moving to Union Grove in the early 1990’s. Carol preceded him in death on August 27, 2017.
Joe worked as a machinist at JI Case and then worked doing home repairs and woodworking. He was a member and a former elder at Faith Lutheran Church in Sturtevant. In his younger years, Joe enjoyed square dancing, but his favorite thing in life was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joe is survived by his children: Allen Kraus and Janet (William Kapas Jr.) Lamp; grandchildren: Amber Rose Lamp, Amber Lynn (Stefan) Janse Van Rensburg, Brittany (David Fischer) Lamp, Aaron Lamp, April (James) Kujawa, Ryan Lamp; great- grandchildren: Landen, Kyle, Ayrich, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amylia, Rayvn, Ava, Aiden, Dalton, Addison, Devin, Ethan, and Rhett; siblings: Helen Koetz, Paul Kraus, David Kraus, and Cindy (Patrick Johnson) Kraus; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ramona Barton, Lyle Roder, Janice Bartlett, and Diana Roder. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; great-granddaughter, Claire; siblings: Patsy Sundstrom and twin brothers: John and James Kraus; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ray (Lorraine) Voyles, Edward Roder, Howard Barton, Iona (Richard) Post, and Hilbert Roder.
The family would like to suggest that any memorials made in Joe’s name be made to The Paralyzed Veterans of America.
The family would also like to thank the staff of Oak Ridge Care Center and the doctors and nurses at Ascension- All Saints in Racine for all of their care and compassion. They would also like to thank Joe’s neighbors: Bri Sorenson and Gary and Christine Gayhart for all of their assistance.
A funeral service for Joe will take place on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Polnasek-Daniels Funeral Home. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Friday, June 26th at Polnasek-Daniels Funeral Home from 4:00 PM until the time of service. Joe will be laid to rest on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Westlawn Memorial Park.
