James L. Kraus, 81, of Farley, Iowa, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2019 at Unity Point Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa.

Visitation for Jim will be held from 1 to 7 p.m., Sunday, November 17, 2019 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where the Farley American Legion will meet at 4:30 p.m. and the Farley Fire Department will meet in a body at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held after 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home in Farley. Services for Jim will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa, with Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Farley, Iowa with full Military Honors afforded by the .

Jim was born March 30, 1938 in Farley, Iowa, son of Leo J. and Alvina C. (Schmitt) Kraus. He is a graduate of the former St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Farley, Iowa. On October 13, 1962 he was united in marriage to Phyllis Oberbroeckling. She preceded him in death on May 10, 1996. On February 18, 2000 he was united in marriage to Sue (Sweeney) Konzen.

He was employed at the John Deere Dubuque Works for 30 years until his retirement in 1994. He was a member of Rolling Knolls golf course where he proudly mowed the “rough” for over 20 years. Jim also worked with his friends at Reiff Funeral Home for several years. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes, Cubs and Bears fan and enjoyed playing cards with his friends.

He was a Veteran, having served in the Air Force for 4 years. He entered the service on Sept. 6, 1956 at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX he went on to Ground and Intercept Radio Operator school at Keisler AFB. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Farley the Altar and Rosary society, choir, and served on the Parish Council and school Board. He was a former member of the Farley City Council, the Farley Park Board and the Farley Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Kraus of Farley, IA; four children; Kevin Kraus (Rene Kelly) of Dubuque, Kurt (Sue) Kraus of Marion, Kim (Bob) Nauman of Iowa City and Kent (Andrea) Kraus of Peosta; 10 grandchildren; Sue’s children, Andy Konzen of Farley, Marty (Bobbi) Konzen of Dubuque, Tracey (Nick) Reicher of Hopkinton; 8 grandchildren; his father and mother-in-law, Jim and Lois Sweeney; two sisters, Mary Westermeyer of Dyersville and Irene (Larry) Scherrman of Farley and; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Carol Coyle of Cascade, Jane (Ron) Deutmeyer of Dyersville, Marge (Rick) Gansemer of Rickardsville, Barb Sweeney, Nancy (Brian) Schlueter both of Dyersville, Jr. (Angie Bennett) Sweeney of Farley, Karen (Keith) Neyen of Farley, Lois Oberbroeckling of Waterloo, Tom (Joanne) Oberbroeckling of Dyersville, Jan (Ron) Boeckenstedt of Waterloo, Dianne (Dennis) Duve of Luxemburg, and Betty Kraus of Dubuque.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph (Elizabeth) Kraus, Bill Kraus, sisters, Doris (Ken) Kemp and Melita (Harry) O’Neill; and brothers-in-law, Carlton Westermeyer, Bob Oberbroeckling, Jim Oberbroeckling and Pat Coyle.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

Memorials for Jim maybe given to Hope Lodge in Iowa City or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.