MADISON/MONROE - Alvin Frederick Kraus, age 80, died peacefully Saturday April 14, 2012 at Attic Angel Place. He was born February 4, 1932 in Monroe, Wis., the son of Anna (Marty) and Fred Kraus, Jr. He joined the U.S. Army on April 27, 1953 in Milwaukee and received an Honorable Discharge from Fort Sheridan, Ill. For his service, Alvin earned the National Defense Service Medal. Alvin was employed by Tilsen Roofing Company as a roofer for 46 years, retiring in 2004. He was married to Phyllis (Coplien) Nordyke for 12 years and they had 2 daughters. Alvin enjoyed taking his 2 daughters to Florida for family vacations and supported them as each graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He hunted for deer and morel mushrooms for many years. Alvin really enjoyed fishing even though he never learned how to swim. He was a self-professed workaholic on the roof and in the yard. On the weekends, if Alvin wasn't doing a "side job," he was enjoying cartoon movies with his daughters, going out to eat and drinking an occasional beer. Alvin played euchre and other card games. He loved to dance and listen to polka music.
He is survived by his daughters, Debra Zentner and Barb Stenger; granddaughter, Sara Zentner; sisters, Eileen (Harley) Fuchs and Joyce (Robert) Drews, both of Monroe, Wis; and nephews, Craig, Dan and Jeffrey Fuchs.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 11 a.m. at ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1724 14th St., Monroe, WI 53566. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m.
Memorials in Alvin's name may be made to the National Parkinson's Association or Agrace HospiceCare Inc. in Madison.
The family wishes to thank Dr. John Ewalt and the staff at Four Winds Lodge in Verona, Attic Angel Place in Middleton, and Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, for their thoughtful care and attention. They made Alvin's last few years comfortable and enjoyable.
He is survived by his daughters, Debra Zentner and Barb Stenger; granddaughter, Sara Zentner; sisters, Eileen (Harley) Fuchs and Joyce (Robert) Drews, both of Monroe, Wis; and nephews, Craig, Dan and Jeffrey Fuchs.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 11 a.m. at ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1724 14th St., Monroe, WI 53566. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m.
Memorials in Alvin's name may be made to the National Parkinson's Association or Agrace HospiceCare Inc. in Madison.
The family wishes to thank Dr. John Ewalt and the staff at Four Winds Lodge in Verona, Attic Angel Place in Middleton, and Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, for their thoughtful care and attention. They made Alvin's last few years comfortable and enjoyable.