Eldon Kraft

Eldon Martin, son of Lyle J. and Bernice Eileen (Truax) Kraft was born on September 30, 1944 at Jefferson, Iowa. He grew up in rural Bayard and graduated from Bayard High School in 1962. He then served in the United States Army from 1962 to 1965. On June 11, 1966 Eldon was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart Janice Elaine Colbert. They made their home in Bayard and to this union two children, Brian and Denise, were born. Eldon worked at the hybrid seed plant in Coon Rapids for 37 years and retired from there in 2005. He was an avid gardener and loved to work with his hands. Eldon and Jan built the home where they lived happily together for 26 years. During his retirement he enjoyed bird watching, yard work, crossword puzzles and Judge Judy. Eldon was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Eldon was admitted to the hospital on October 1, 2010. He was diagnosed and ultimately lost his battle with pneumonia at noon on October 18, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 66 years and 18 days. Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Floyd Gene Kraft and Clair Kraft; father and mother-in-law Jess and Verna Colbert and brother-in-law Jack Colbert. He is survived by his wife Janice of Bayard; son Brian Kraft of Coon Rapids; daughter Denise and husband Troy Downey of Coon Rapids; 3 grandsons: Justin, Colt and Jake; sister Dana and husband Fred Christensen of Bayard; brothers and sisters-in-law Ramona Kraft of Burlington; Jim and Trudy Colbert of Coon Rapids; Jerry and Karen Colbert of Coon Rapids and Kay Colbert of Bayard, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Officiating Evangelist Fred E. Christensen Music The River By Garth Brooks Casket Bearers Justin Wurr Colt Wurr Jake Hurd Lance Kraft Flint Christensen Tim Baden Jack Colbert Jr. Klocke Interment with Military Honors American Legion Bryan Mercer Post 44 Highland Township Cemetery Bayard, Iowa