In the presence of family, Don Kraus concluded a life well lived on May 20th, 2024 in the gentle, amazing care at Monument hospital in Custer. After almost 5 years of fighting metastatic cancer, the treatments, anxiety, pain and occasional moments of hope, it came down to the brutal truth that his body could no longer carry on.  The family sends a heartfelt thanks to all the Doctors, Nurses and staff at Monument Health in Custer and Rapid City for the absolute best care he could have had.

Donald Raymond Kraus was born March 29, 1947 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Darwin and Verona Kraus.  Don graduated in the class of 1965 in Frazee and went on to college at North Dakota State University where he graduated with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Don later landed a job in  1970 as Highway design Engineer for the SD Highway Department on Interstate 90 construction projects near Chamberlain, SD that included the 2000' bridge across the Missouri River.  It was where he met and swept the feet off of Karen Christensen.  She worked as a cute little nurse in Chamberlain and grew up on a family farm/ranch just north of Reliance.  Little did Don know, he would be a FREE farm/ranch hand for the rest of his life!!  She picked out her own diamond ring on his budget and later married May 25, 1974. Who knew they would last just 5 days short of their 50th wedding anniversary.  50 amazing years of annoying the crap out of each other!  They then moved to Pierre, SD from 1974-1984.  They produced 3 FLIPPING AWESOME children together, Brian, Lori and Jeff while living in Pierre.  While in Pierre Don worked as Aviation Planner/Construction Programmer with the SD Division of Aeronautics working with all 75 public approved airports.  He designed, planned and programmed for State and Federal Aviation Administration funding, including the airport in Custer SD, where he landed a job in 1984 as Area Engineer. Don was responsible for construction and maintenance of over 500 miles of SD highways, engineering staff and 5 maintenance shops in the southwest corner of SD.  Don's favorite sayings were "Everybody's job is important, Just DO IT and you will be successful!"   "Hard work and good luck seem to go together."

Don has enjoyed retirement for over 20 years after retiring in 2004.  While retired, he has enjoyed traveling, helping his son, Brian at his ranch in Reliance and Vivian, and volunteering around Custer. Don's love for helping others was his passion in life.  He always kept busy with Outlaw Ranch, Rotary, Southern Hills Rural water system and Custer Storehouse. Don was a very proud, dedicated Grandpa to Emery Kraus, Sylvan and Canyon Svoboda and Clara Kraus.

He was preceded in life by his parents, Darwin & Verona Kraus and his In-laws John & Ruth Christensen.

Don is survived by his loving wife Karen Kraus, his children Brian (Butch) Kraus, Reliance SD,  Lori Kraus-Svoboda of  Custer, Jeff (Bullet) Kraus of Corpus Christi TX, special acquired daughter, Hallie Webster of Custer,  his  Sister Marilyn Golisch, San Diego CA , 4 beautiful grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don leaves a legacy of having a positive attitude with a smile on his face! We will continue to laugh and smile the way you showed us how. We love you MORE…

Memorial's in Don's name can be made to benefit Outlaw Ranch, Spark Kids CLF, Custer Storehouse and the Custer Senior Center; 12249 Aspen Valley Rd, Custer SD 57730

Funeral Services will be held at 2pm Friday May 31, 2024 at Custer Lutheran Fellowship with a light luncheon to follow.  Celebration of Life will be held at Rocky Knolls Golf Course at 4:30pm.