Anna Louise Kraft

Anna Louise Kraft, 89, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family at her home in New York Mills, Minnesota.

Anna was born on April 29, 1936, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Gilbert and Regina (Hoyer) Davis. At the age of 15 on April 15, 1951 she accepted the Lord as her Saviour—a commitment that guided her throughout her years. As a young teenager, Anna worked at the Manson Theater popping popcorn, and later at the Corn and Bean processing factory.

In 1951, at a roller-skating rink in Twin Lakes, Iowa, she met the love of her life, Harry Kraft. Weekends to come were spent skating hand-in-hand with Harry, and after two years of courtship, he left to serve his country in the United States Army. Upon his return, Anna and Harry were united in marriage on October 9, 1955, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manson, Iowa.

Together, they began their married life in Iowa, where Anna loved helping on the family farm, tending to hogs, assisting with the goose hatchery, and working alongside Harry as they ran a Farm Service Gas business. In 1976, the couple moved to rural New York Mills, Minnesota, where they purchased a ranch. After selling the ranch in 1978, they moved to a smaller home north of New York Mills to raise their family. During these years, Harry commuted to the Twin Cities to work as a heavy equipment operator with the union, while Anna remained in New York Mills, caring for the children and the home. She was a devoted stay-at-home mother, who also cared for numerous other children with the same love and tenderness she gave her own.

In the 1990s, after her youngest son Todd had graduated, Anna began working outside the home as a sales representative for RainSoft water softeners. She enjoyed connecting with people through her work but always kept her heart anchored in family and faith.

Anna’s life was filled with joy, laughter, and devotion. She was a frequent caller to her favorite radio station, K-106, and once won a $10,000 prize. She was well known for her cookies, her love of polka music and Christian gospel, and her passion for basketball. A standout player in her youth, Anna was proud to have played forward guard for the Manson Eagles basketball team. In later years, she became an avid fan of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, rarely missing a game. Among her fondest memories were the many travels she shared with Harry, including their time on the road with a 9-foot replica of Noah’s Ark, bringing faith and inspiration to communities across the country.

Those left to honor Anna’s memory include her devoted husband of nearly 70 years, Harry; her children Becky (Tony) Jessen of Linn Grove, IA, Jeff (Diedre) Kraft of New York Mills, Brenda (Harold) McGowan of Sebeka, and Todd (Emily) Kraft of Rapid City, SD; her brother Robert (Mary) Miller of Johnston, IA; her sister Lois Porth of Ankeny, IA; her son-in-law Stewart Jessen; and her brother-in-law John Jacobs. She will also be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Jeremiah (Dorie) Jessen, Joshua (Lisa) Jessen, Tina (Sean) Kraft-O’Hearn, Rachel (Dillon) Wutzke, Daniel (Destiny) Kraft, Jacob (Jen) McGowan, Regina Long, and Damen Kraft; great-grandchildren Faith, Gavin, Jayden, Kaylee, and Chase Jessen, Jenna (Caleb) Nicks, Ashton (Abby) Ness, Calista (Eric) Chinn, Amelia O’Hearn, Jaxton, Weston, and Stetson Wutzke, Kiptyn and Kolson Kraft, Owen and Chloe McGowan, and Reegan, Tige, and Cody Long; as well as great-great-grandchildren Grayson Ness, Waylon Chinn, and Elsie Ann Chinn.

Anna is preceded in death by her parents Gilbert and Regina; her sisters Ruby (Orville) Brown, Elsie (Don) Saathoff and Norma Jacobs; her grandsons Samuel Long & Drake Kraft; her loving in-laws Harry & Amber Kraft & an infant child born sleeping.

A Celebration of Life for Anna will be held on what would have been Anna and Harry’s 70th wedding anniversary, October 9, 2025, at Grace Connection Church in New York Mills, Minnesota at 2:30 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. A time of fellowship and cookies will follow the service. A private family burial will take place after the service at sunset.

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