Joan Kraus

Joan Kraus

Monticello

Joan Kraus, 62, of Monticello, Iowa, passed away from early onset Dementia Thursday, December 12, 2024. A Catholic graveside service will be held at 10:30 am Friday, December 20, 2024, at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Monticello, Iowa. A celebration of Life will follow from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm at the Eagles Club in Monticello, Iowa.

Joan was born September 18, 1962, the daughter of Victor and Janice (Staner) Kraus. She was raised on a farm outside of Monticello with her 15 brothers and sisters. After graduating High School, she attended Kirkwood Community College where she completed their Handicapped Services course of study.

Throughout her life, she worked as a care provider for the disabled, an award-winning sales professional and boss, an entrepreneur and owner of Pappy’s, Prairie Moon Ball Room, and The Office.

Joan fiercely loved her family and as a sister, aunt, and friend she was always there for the special moments. She also created many new memories by inviting the nieces and nephews over for slumber parties or hot tub birthday parties. She never missed a graduation party or wedding celebration. If you needed presents wrapped, a Black Friday gift purchased, your yard mowed, or your kids watched when you went out of town, she had your back.

Joan also loved to have fun. From epic back yard birthday parties, live bands and Karaoke at her bars, concerts and many road trips, she was always there with a smile.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents Victor and Janice Kraus, brothers Dan and Steve Kraus, in-laws Vern Vacek and Greg Carl, niece Megan Klaus, and great-niece Hannah First.

Joan is survived by her siblings Mike (Em) Kraus of Monticello, Dave (Sue) Kraus of Cascade, Martha (Dean) Schwendinger of Monticello, Jim Kraus of Monticello, Julie Vacek of Monticello, Tony (Marsha) Kraus of Monticello, Bob Kraus of Cedar Rapids, Bill (Kathy) Kraus of Hopkinton, Jayne (Joe) Tuetken of Monticello, John (Julie) Kraus of Cedar Rapids, Mark (Pam) Kraus of Mount Vernon, Teresa (Dan) Cox of Mount Vernon, Ted (Sarah) Kraus of Monticello, sisters-in-law Becky Kraus of Monticello and Darcy Kraus of Monticello, godchildren Rachel Steger of Monticello, Brandon Kraus of Monticello, Sarah Lagunes of Monticello, Ryan Cox of Cedar Rapids, 45 nieces and nephews, 84 great-nieces and nephews, and 6 great nieces and nephews who she personally knew and loved.

The family requests no flowers. Please direct memorials to the family so they may donate to caretakers or the Alzheimers Association of America.

The family would like to thank the staff at Meadowview Memory Care Village for their kindhearted care over the past year.