James W. Kracht

James William Kracht, age 74, of Coon Rapids passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids with Fr. Brian Feller as Celebrant assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners.  Music for the Mass will be by the Annunciation Choir with Diane Slater as organist.

Lector for the Mass will be Kelly Hays.  Gift Bearers will be Jim’s grandchildren.  Mass servers will be Lance and Breeley Clayburg.  Casket bearers will be Doug Lloyd, John Nielson, Bill Duncan, Eugene Reineke, Dave Schroeder, and Kerry Shirbroun.  Burial will be in the Coon Rapids Cemetery with military honors by the Coon Rapids American Legion.

Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids after 5:00 P.M. on Thursday where there will be a Christian Wake Service held at 6:30 P.M.  Visitation will resume at Annunciation Catholic Church at 9:30 A.M. on Friday and will continue until the time of Mass.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for Jim’s family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Born on March 3, 1944 in Carroll, IA, he was the son of Clarence and Vera (Schelldorf) Kracht.  He grew up on the farm in the Halbur area and his family moved northwest of Coon Rapids when he was 12 years old.  Jim graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1962 and helped his Dad on the farm until he enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 serving until 1968.  He was stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO and Germany before serving in Vietnam.  Jim was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism for heroic efforts in connection with military operations in Vietnam and earned the rank of Sergeant.  Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Jim returned to Coon Rapids and was married to Janice Wiskus on September 20, 1969 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham.  Jim and Janice made their home in Coon Rapids where he owned and operated Jim’s Sinclair service station.   He later went to work for the Garst and Thomas Seed Company where he worked for over 25 years retiring in 2004.  In addition to his full time work, Jim found enjoyment helping local farmers, driving truck, and lending a hand to anyone who needed help.  He served on the Coon Rapids Fire Department for 27 years, 10 of those years as Chief.  He was also a member of Annunciation Catholic Church and the Coon Rapids American Legion.  Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  He enjoyed golfing, woodworking, spending time in his shop, yard work, and helping his family build things and he could fix almost anything.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his family grilling out and playing cards.  His grandkids meant the world to him and he loved watching them participate in sports and other school activities.

Jim is survived by his wife Janice of 49 years of Coon Rapids; a daughter Janelle Kracht of Coon Rapids; three sons: Jeff Kracht (Eva) of Coon Rapids, Justin Kracht of Omaha, and Jeremy Kracht of Ames, three grandchildren: Rudy Rodriguez, Jeffrey Kracht, and Jaymee Kracht all of Coon Rapids; two sisters: Madeleine Forehand (Paul) Tomball, TX and Paulette Douglas of Morgan Hill, CA; three sisters-in-law: Florine Nielsen of Dedham, Delores Kerkhoff (David) of Templeton, and Mary Ann Brincks of Carroll; one brother-in-law Richard Wiskus (Joan) of Dedham; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Vera Kracht; his father and mother-in-law John and Regina Wiskus; his brother Dareld Kracht; a grandson Hector Rodriguez in 2013; and a granddaughter Sophie in infancy.