Obituary for John Frederick Krauss
“Lovingly written by Jack’s Family”
KRAUSS, John ‘Jack’ Frederick Charles
August 28, 1936 – June 24, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend Jack Krauss on the evening of Wednesday June 24th, 2020. Jack is survived by his wife Lorraine, their daughter Gail Krauss (Tim Nield) and their children Kerry and Sam (Sherwood Park); son John (Dean) Krauss (Maureen Donohue Krauss) and their children John and Natalie (Rochester Hills, Michigan) (Jack was lovingly known to them as Grandpa Far) ; Grandsons Aaron and Sean Nield, and their wives and families (Sherwood Park). Jack had a special relationship with his great granddaughter Harper Nield. He was so pleased to be called Great Grampy. Jack has one brother Jim (Carolyn) Krauss (Parksville, BC), and nieces Kori, Kelli, Kristyn, and their families. Jack was predeceased by his parents John (Jack) Walter Krauss, and Marjorie Ruth (Joy) Werthenbach. Jack was born in Scott Saskatchewan, August 28th, 1936, in the middle of the Great Depression, and during a summer of record hot days, some of which still stand today. Jack was raised in Hoosier, Saskatchewan, where his family’s general store was a hub of activity for the town and local community. Jack’s early years were busy with friends and family. He developed lifelong friends that he kept in contact with throughout his life. In 1941 his younger brother James (Jim) Bruce was born and their little family was complete. Throughout the summers of his youth Jack, Jim and their cousins Chuck, Mary and Ruben spent their summers with their moms (who were sisters) at the family cabin on Gull Lake, Alberta. There many fond memories were made. Jack had a special place in his heart for his cousins all his life. Jack moved into the dorm in Kindersley to attend high school and he must have had a lot of good times there because we often heard stories about life in the dorm. (Although we don’t think we heard all the stories, good friends keep secrets too!) The lessons he learned and the friendships he made during his time in Kindersley lasted his whole life. It was also in Kindersley at the dorm where Jack first met the love of his life Lorraine. After high school Jack worked for a time, eventually moving to Calgary. There he and Lorraine reconnected, and soon married in 1959. Calgary was where Gail and Dean were born. In 1964 the family moved to Vancouver, Jack was transferred with IAC, a credit company at the time. The family enjoyed life on the west coast and all the opportunities there; they spent many a sunny day on the beach playing in the ocean. It was a real delight for a boy from small town Saskatchewan to play in the ocean. Jack and Lorraine made numerous friends on the west coast, and have kept in touch with many of them over the years. An opportunity to work in the finance department at Finning Tractor led Jack and his family to move to Kamloops, BC. Those were wonderful days where they all grew to love downhill skiing at Tod Mountain (now known as Sun Peaks) in the winter and boating on Shuswap Lake in the summer. It was a wonderful time in our lives. Again Jack and Lorraine made good friends in Kamloops, a lot of whom they have kept in touch with over the years. Jack always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and it was in Kamloops where he and Lorraine ventured into self-employment. They initially partnered with Ray Speerbrecker, operating a logging camp on Seymour Arm at Shuswap Lake. After a few years, with the logging business experience under his belt Jack moved on to worked at McIntyre Mines in Grand Cache, hauling coal for a couple of years. Then he returned to Kamloops where they operated a gravel crushing business. During this time the oil and gas industry was looking more and more interesting to them and in the summer of 1978 they pulled up their stakes in Kamloops and moved to Sherwood Park, Alberta. There they started Jack’s Hot Shot and Oilfield Trucking. Jack had always loved cars and trucks, and generally just driving, so it was a perfect blend of opportunity and interest. Together, very much business partners, Jack and Lorraine ran Jack’s Hot Shot, until they sold the business and retired in 1996. Once again they had made many good friends in Sherwood Park, and they have enjoyed 25 wonderful years of retirement in Strathcona County. The move in 1978 to Sherwood Park proved to be a good one for Jack and Lorraine; they worked hard, survived a couple of downturns in the oil and gas industry. During one of these downturns, they started The Recycle Systems Company, one of the first companies to recycle aerosol cans in the area. For a time they had property at Hastings Lake, and Jack enjoyed making memories with his family and friends on and by the Lake. Lorraine’s sister Priscilla was always very special to Jack; she is the little sister he never had. Over the years, Priscilla (Joe and their children Megan and Neal) have spent many happy times together with Jack, Lorraine, Gail and Dean and their families, holidaying, boating, skiing, and celebrating special occasions. Since retiring Jack and Lorraine have spent their time enjoying friends, family, travelling and volunteering mainly at Festival Place Sherwood Park, and Sherwood Park United Church (United in the Park). They loved following their grandchildren’s adventures in hockey, speed skating, downhill racing, lacrosse, animation and academics. Jack was proud of all their accomplishments. We know that because he told us often. Jack had many good friends and extended family that he loved and appreciated. Their kindness over these past weeks, months and years has been a source of strength for his family. He was a social guy who always enjoyed a good visit with new and old friends. Jack always made a special point of keeping in touch with many of his Kraus, Krause, Krauss, and Stevens cousins. Jack lived at home with Lorraine until January 2020, when a two week respite care at the Tofield Long-term Care Centre made it clear to Jack’s family that we could no longer provide the care he needed at home. Dementia was taking its toll. March 4, 2020 he moved back into Tofield as a permanent resident. Although Jack tested negative for Covid -19 ultimately the pandemic played a significant role in the last chapter of his life and he was moved to Centennial Hospital in Ponoka in April, a larger facility that could accommodate his needed level of care. Jack’s family would like to thank the staff at the Tofield Long-term Care Centre and Centennial Hospital in Ponoka. In particular, the wonderful staff of the Apollo Unit who had been caring for Jack these past eight weeks. Their compassion and care for Jack and his family made all the more difficult due to this new normal was both exceptional and a blessing. Jack and Lorraine were very much a partnership, their 60 years of marriage are a beautiful example of a couple who loved and respected each other; they worked together like a well-oiled team. Lorraine and her family will feel the sting of his passing for the rest of their lives. However, we are all so grateful for the times we had with Jack and the memories we made. We will cherish his example of a life well lived and loved. Cremation has taken place and we will honour Jack once we can gather together with family and friends. If one desires, in lieu of flowers, we ask you to make a donation to YESS: Youth Empowerment & Support Services, in Edmonton; or Sherwood Park United Church (United in the Park Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
KRAUSS, John ‘Jack’ Frederick Charles
August 28, 1936 – June 24, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend Jack Krauss on the evening of Wednesday June 24th, 2020. Jack is survived by his wife Lorraine, their daughter Gail Krauss (Tim Nield) and their children Kerry and Sam (Sherwood Park); son John (Dean) Krauss (Maureen Donohue Krauss) and their children John and Natalie (Rochester Hills, Michigan) (Jack was lovingly known to them as Grandpa Far) ; Grandsons Aaron and Sean Nield, and their wives and families (Sherwood Park). Jack had a special relationship with his great granddaughter Harper Nield. He was so pleased to be called Great Grampy. Jack has one brother Jim (Carolyn) Krauss (Parksville, BC), and nieces Kori, Kelli, Kristyn, and their families. Jack was predeceased by his parents John (Jack) Walter Krauss, and Marjorie Ruth (Joy) Werthenbach. Jack was born in Scott Saskatchewan, August 28th, 1936, in the middle of the Great Depression, and during a summer of record hot days, some of which still stand today. Jack was raised in Hoosier, Saskatchewan, where his family’s general store was a hub of activity for the town and local community. Jack’s early years were busy with friends and family. He developed lifelong friends that he kept in contact with throughout his life. In 1941 his younger brother James (Jim) Bruce was born and their little family was complete. Throughout the summers of his youth Jack, Jim and their cousins Chuck, Mary and Ruben spent their summers with their moms (who were sisters) at the family cabin on Gull Lake, Alberta. There many fond memories were made. Jack had a special place in his heart for his cousins all his life. Jack moved into the dorm in Kindersley to attend high school and he must have had a lot of good times there because we often heard stories about life in the dorm. (Although we don’t think we heard all the stories, good friends keep secrets too!) The lessons he learned and the friendships he made during his time in Kindersley lasted his whole life. It was also in Kindersley at the dorm where Jack first met the love of his life Lorraine. After high school Jack worked for a time, eventually moving to Calgary. There he and Lorraine reconnected, and soon married in 1959. Calgary was where Gail and Dean were born. In 1964 the family moved to Vancouver, Jack was transferred with IAC, a credit company at the time. The family enjoyed life on the west coast and all the opportunities there; they spent many a sunny day on the beach playing in the ocean. It was a real delight for a boy from small town Saskatchewan to play in the ocean. Jack and Lorraine made numerous friends on the west coast, and have kept in touch with many of them over the years. An opportunity to work in the finance department at Finning Tractor led Jack and his family to move to Kamloops, BC. Those were wonderful days where they all grew to love downhill skiing at Tod Mountain (now known as Sun Peaks) in the winter and boating on Shuswap Lake in the summer. It was a wonderful time in our lives. Again Jack and Lorraine made good friends in Kamloops, a lot of whom they have kept in touch with over the years. Jack always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and it was in Kamloops where he and Lorraine ventured into self-employment. They initially partnered with Ray Speerbrecker, operating a logging camp on Seymour Arm at Shuswap Lake. After a few years, with the logging business experience under his belt Jack moved on to worked at McIntyre Mines in Grand Cache, hauling coal for a couple of years. Then he returned to Kamloops where they operated a gravel crushing business. During this time the oil and gas industry was looking more and more interesting to them and in the summer of 1978 they pulled up their stakes in Kamloops and moved to Sherwood Park, Alberta. There they started Jack’s Hot Shot and Oilfield Trucking. Jack had always loved cars and trucks, and generally just driving, so it was a perfect blend of opportunity and interest. Together, very much business partners, Jack and Lorraine ran Jack’s Hot Shot, until they sold the business and retired in 1996. Once again they had made many good friends in Sherwood Park, and they have enjoyed 25 wonderful years of retirement in Strathcona County. The move in 1978 to Sherwood Park proved to be a good one for Jack and Lorraine; they worked hard, survived a couple of downturns in the oil and gas industry. During one of these downturns, they started The Recycle Systems Company, one of the first companies to recycle aerosol cans in the area. For a time they had property at Hastings Lake, and Jack enjoyed making memories with his family and friends on and by the Lake. Lorraine’s sister Priscilla was always very special to Jack; she is the little sister he never had. Over the years, Priscilla (Joe and their children Megan and Neal) have spent many happy times together with Jack, Lorraine, Gail and Dean and their families, holidaying, boating, skiing, and celebrating special occasions. Since retiring Jack and Lorraine have spent their time enjoying friends, family, travelling and volunteering mainly at Festival Place Sherwood Park, and Sherwood Park United Church (United in the Park). They loved following their grandchildren’s adventures in hockey, speed skating, downhill racing, lacrosse, animation and academics. Jack was proud of all their accomplishments. We know that because he told us often. Jack had many good friends and extended family that he loved and appreciated. Their kindness over these past weeks, months and years has been a source of strength for his family. He was a social guy who always enjoyed a good visit with new and old friends. Jack always made a special point of keeping in touch with many of his Kraus, Krause, Krauss, and Stevens cousins. Jack lived at home with Lorraine until January 2020, when a two week respite care at the Tofield Long-term Care Centre made it clear to Jack’s family that we could no longer provide the care he needed at home. Dementia was taking its toll. March 4, 2020 he moved back into Tofield as a permanent resident. Although Jack tested negative for Covid -19 ultimately the pandemic played a significant role in the last chapter of his life and he was moved to Centennial Hospital in Ponoka in April, a larger facility that could accommodate his needed level of care. Jack’s family would like to thank the staff at the Tofield Long-term Care Centre and Centennial Hospital in Ponoka. In particular, the wonderful staff of the Apollo Unit who had been caring for Jack these past eight weeks. Their compassion and care for Jack and his family made all the more difficult due to this new normal was both exceptional and a blessing. Jack and Lorraine were very much a partnership, their 60 years of marriage are a beautiful example of a couple who loved and respected each other; they worked together like a well-oiled team. Lorraine and her family will feel the sting of his passing for the rest of their lives. However, we are all so grateful for the times we had with Jack and the memories we made. We will cherish his example of a life well lived and loved. Cremation has taken place and we will honour Jack once we can gather together with family and friends. If one desires, in lieu of flowers, we ask you to make a donation to YESS: Youth Empowerment & Support Services, in Edmonton; or Sherwood Park United Church (United in the Park Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.