Marian S. (Jackson) Kraft

Marian S. (Jackson) Kraft, 91, of Kanawha passed away Friday, October 2, 2020 at Kanawha Community Home.

Graveside services for Marian Kraft will be Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Rural Kanawha, with Pastor Geoffrey White officiating.

Those planning to attend the graveside service are invited to bring a lawn chair. Those in attendance will be asked to follow social distancing guidelines and encouraged to wear a face covering.

Marian Sherline (Jackson) Kraft was born September 20, 1929 to Lewis and Selma (Jacobson) Jackson in Kanawha. She was raised and educated in Kanawha, and graduated from Kanawha High School.

Marian was united in marriage to Kenneth W. Kraft on September 27, 1947 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple made their home in Ames for a time before returning to Kanawha where they lived the rest of their lives.

In addition to raising her 6 children, Marian worked a variety of jobs over the years, including time at Knoll’s Produce, where she candled eggs, as a telephone operator, working alongside Kenny at the hardware store and service center, at the post office and at the grocery store. She also led a detasseling crew and walked beans in the summer.

Marian enjoyed crafting, most notably, painting, quilting and sewing. She also restored the Nativity Scenes from the Kanawha Lutheran and Methodist Churches. She and Kenny spent time dancing, holding hands and being together. She loved cooking and was well known for her baked beans. The family enjoyed the tradition of getting together every Christmas Eve for her oyster soup and sandwiches.

At the center of Marian’s life were her faith and her family. She was a lifelong member of Kanawha Lutheran Church where she was active in ladies aid, church circle, teaching Sunday School and singing in church choir alongside Kenny. She made clothing for her children and always seemed to be able to put plenty of food on the table. She never sent anyone away hungry.

Marian is survived by her children, K. Douglas (Barb) Kraft of Pella, Paula (Darl) Abbas of Clarion, Denny “Buck” (Jane) Kraft of Pella, Dana (Tammy) Kraft of Kanawha, Melanie Kraft of Columbus, Ohio and Mona (Tony) Harle of Garner; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister Vivian Waage of Goodell and brother Paul (Kaye) Jackson of Kanawha; along with numerous extended family members and friends.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenny in 2007, sister Luetta Stoeckel and brothers LeRoy “Red” Jackson, Alvin Jackson, Stanley Jackson and Lewis “Junior” Jackson.