Christine R. (Steffen) Kraft, 82, a life-long resident of the Lake Region, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake surrounded by loving family.
Christine Rose, daughter of Paul and Mary (Kuntz) Steffen was born on Feb. 16, 1940, in Devils Lake, ND. Christine was raised on a farm near Edmore, ND. She graduated from Edmore High School. After graduation, she moved to Devils Lake. She worked at Mercy Hospital, Starlight Drive-In Theater, and as a waitress at Highway Host.
Christine met the love of her life, Ray Kraft, at a dance. Ray and Christine were married on Sept. 23, 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. They established their home in Devils Lake and together raised five boys.
Christine enjoyed making wedding cakes, cooking, baking, sewing, and most of all selling Avon. She was a member of the Altar Society and served as president and was also a Gold Star Mother. She loved being a mother and was kept very busy with her five sons. During Ray and Christine’s free time, they enjoyed traveling and dancing together.
Christine and Ray celebrated more than 55 years of marriage with their family and dear friends. They were extremely committed to each other and were inseparable. True love is what they had and experienced.
Christine will truly be missed by her sons and their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all her friends in the community. She was a true role model on how you should live your life, respect and love your neighbor, and stay true to your faith.
Christine’s loving family include her sons Terry (Vicki) of Fargo, Steve and his wife Tamy of Mesa, AZ, Randy and his wife Traci of Devils Lake and Danny and his wife Jennifer of Fargo; ten grandchildren Savannah Kraft, Sierra (Jordan) Shapiro and Sadie (Nick) Becher, Michael (Ashley) Kraft and Mitchell (Kristina) Kraft, Todd (Jackie) Kraft and Amanda (David) Reed, Nathaniel Kraft, Nicholia (Grace) Kraft and Natasha Kraft; great grandchildren Kennedy and Kambell, Ivan and Autumn, Robbie, Michelle, James and Layton; siblings Paul (Janice) Steffen, Ellie (Eddie) Bosch, Bill Steffen, Karen (Steve) Samek, Tom (Cindy) Steffen, JoAnn (Danny) Lizakowski, Pat (David) Allfrey; many nieces, nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, son, Todd, sisters, Helen and Mary, brother-in-law, Payne, her parents and her in-laws.
Special thanks to Staff at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Hospice of the Red River Valley and Dr. Downs.
Visitation was at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 with a Rosary and Scripture Service and Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, Feb. 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Christine will be laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Casket Bearers will be Christine’s grandchildren: Savannah Kraft, Sierra Shapiro, Sadie Becher, Michael Kraft, Mitchell Kraft, Todd Kraft, Amanda Reed, Nathaniel Kraft, Nicholia Kraft and Natasha Kraft. Bearers of the Eucharistic Gifts will be Christine’s sisters Ellie Bosch, Karen Samek, JoAnn Lizakowski and Pat Allfrey. Reading the Scriptures will be Reverend John Evans.
