Theodora A. Kracht

THEODORA ANN KRACHT was born to Francis and Maggie (Van Batavia) De Graaff on November 5, 1934 in Hull, Iowa. To all those who knew and loved her she became “Theo.” She attended Hull Public School graduating in the class of 1952 then attended Northwestern College graduating 1955 with a degree in elementary education. Theodora’s first teaching position was a country school later that same year. On April 18, 1954 she met the love of her life, Bert Kracht. The couple was united in marriage on February 17, 1956 and made their first home on a farm by Rock Rapids, Iowa. The couple later crossed the nearby border to a farm in Minnesota and in 1968, Theo and Bert moved to Beaver Creek, Minnesota. On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Theo went to be with her Lord at the age of 77 years, six months and three days.

She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek, Minnesota where she and Bert served as Sunday School Superintendents. Theodora enjoyed her family and reveled in spending time together sharing love and laughter. She and Bert really enjoyed square dancing and made a wonderful partnership both on and off the dance floor for over 56 years. Theo was employed at the Luverne Hospital caring for the newborn babies in the nursery for a number of years and later returned to teaching as a substitute teacher in the Hill-Beaver Creek School district. She enjoyed working with children and adults and was a true teacher through and through. Theo was honored in 1975 by being named “4-H Mother of the Year.” She had a tender heart and truly enjoyed her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She stayed very close to her sister, Carole Kleyer, with her weekly trips to Sioux Center, Iowa on Mondays for stitching.

Theodora touched the hearts of many. Her goal in life was to bring joy, love, and happiness to the lives of her family and friends; just as she said many times her parents had done for her. She did this each and every day with encouragement and love for everyone. Her legacy will live on through her survivors especially her beloved husband of 56 years, Bert Kracht of Beaver Creek, Minnesota; her four children, Leon and Linda Kracht, Delburt and Dianne Kracht, all of Pipestone, Minnesota, Carl and Deanne Kracht of Baltic, South Dakota, and Darla Kracht and Scott Goodhart of Beaver Creek, Minnesota; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister, Carole Kleyer of Sioux Center, Iowa; and sister-in-law, Beverly DeGraaff of Hull, Iowa; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Maggie; a grandson, Nicholas John Kracht; her brother, Norman DeGraaff; a brother-in-law, Paul Kleyer; and a great niece, Megan Kleyer.