Elmer C. Kraus, age 81, of East Amana, died Monday, April 24, 2006 at Colonial Manor of Amana, following an extended illness. Funeral Services: 10:00 A.M. Thursday, April 27, 2006 at the Middle Amana Community Church with Elder Jon Childers officiating, assisted by Larry Hertel. Burial will be in the East Amana Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 P.M. Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the Middle Amana Community Church. Memorials may be contributed to the Amana Church Society, Amana First Responders, or the Iowa County Ambulance Service. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lucille; a daughter, Elizabeth McKenzie and husband Charles of West Amana; a son, Perry and wife Lou Ann of Alpharetta, GA; three granddaughters, Lydia McKenzie, Kathleen Kraus Smith, and Katrina Kraus; a sister Helen Schuerer and husband Harold of East Amana, and a brother, George Kraus and wife Helen of Sun Lakes, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Elmer Charles Kraus was born December 30, 1924, in Middle Amana, Iowa, the son of Charles and Helena Schinnerling Kraus. He received his education in the Amana Schools, and graduated from Amana High School. He attended the Milwaukee State Teachers College, Milwaukee, WI, as a cadet for the Air Force. He served in the U.S. Army and Air Force during World War II, in the US and European Theater. Elmer married Lucille Schaefer on July 19, 1947 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was employed by Amana Refrigeration for 23 years. He resigned from Amana Refrigeration and became part-owner of Kraus Mfg. in 1966. He then was affiliated with Highway Equipment Co., retiring in 1987. He founded and was president of the Little Amana Winery, Inc. He served on the Board of Directors of the Amana Society and the Amana Nordstrom Corporation. He also served as committee chairman of the Amana Boy Scout troop and was a member of the Hawkeye Area Executive Council for many years

Elmer had many hobbies, including projects in and outside their home. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed working in the yard with the lawn and plants. He was a member of the Amana church Society, Amana Heritage Society and the American Legion.