Verven Elroy Kraft, 83, of Kanawha, died Friday, March 26, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. Verven, the son of Walter and Thelma Irene (Schultz) Kraft, was born March 16, 1921, in Renwick, Iowa.  He grew up in the Renwick area, where he attended country school.  Verven's mother passed away when he was 11  years old.  He later began farming with his father and stepmother. Verven enjoyed helping his neighbors on the farm whenever possible.  He continued to live on the farm until entering the nursing home for the first time.  He later became a resident of the Hancock County Care Facility where he enjoyed caring for the pigs.  He then became a long-term resident of the Kanawha Community Home.  Verven loved little children and especially enjoyed spending time with the youngest members of the family. Verven is survived by three brothers: Kenneth Kraft and his wife, Marian of Kanawha, Garry Kraft and his wife, Sandy of Bode, Donald Kraft and his wife, Carolyn of Renwick; two sisters: Sandra K. Harris of Lincoln, Nebraska, LuAnn and her husband, Francis Hefty of Bixby, Oklahoma, and stepmother, Marjorie Kraft of Eagle Grove. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, LaVaughn and brother, Earl.