EDWIN C. KRAFT, 82 of Roscoe, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2019, at Perkins County Community Hospital in Grant.
Ed was born September 26, 1937, in Garden County, Nebraska, to Carl and Anne (Gregory) Kraft. He attended school at Wolbach.
On April 10, 1978, Ed married Caryln Frickey Black. He had worked at Haggard Drilling for over twenty years. Ed eventually purchased the Lakeway Lodge Motel, which he had owned for many years before selling the business in the mid-90s. Ed took a job with the City of Ogallala working on the street sweeper, a post he kept until his retirement at the age of 71. Ed retired to work on his ranch, where he raised cattle, goats, and chickens.
Ed's passions in life centered around his family and his ranch. He loved spending time working with the animals, and on the tractor. He enjoyed sharing his tractor time with any available grandchildren, which always seemed to evoke smiles. Ed also had a proclivity for assigning nicknames to people, and once Ed bestowed them, they were permanent.
Ed was patient and gentle, but firm when he needed to be. He adored his grandchildren, and the feelings were mutual. Whether it be taking his family fishing, sharing a tractor ride, or having a laugh, Ed soaked up the good times, and rarely, if ever, complained.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Marlie Rae Elmore; grandchild, Sally Ann Kraft; and brother in law, Jim Grubbs.
Survivors include his wife, Caryln of Ogallala; children, Dean (Shannon) Kraft of Gulf Breeze, FL; Tina Black of Ogallala, Kim (Calvin) Fraser of Brule, Chris Kramer of Staplehurst, Vivian Black of Lincoln; 13 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sister, Margie Grubbs of South Carolina; brother, Clyde (Charlotte) Kraft of Grand Island; along with many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Ed's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com. Services will be streamed live at methodistchurchogallala.com, for those unable to attend.
Services will be on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Ogallala with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Friday, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.