Eugene "Gene" Robert Kraus, age 82, of the town of Franklin, Jackson County, WI, died on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in his home.

Gene was born on February 3, 1931 in Cary, IL to August "Gussie" and Amelia (Bloner) Kraus. He graduated from the Crystal Lake High School in Crystal Lake, IL in 1949. Gene was drafted into the United States Army on July 15, 1952 and served in Korea with the 5th. Regimental Combat Team and served with the 555th. Artillary Battalion as a Sargeant.

Gene enjoyed all sports, including golfing, fishing, baseball and basketball. Gene won the McHenry County Amateur Golf Championship in 1954 at the Cary Country Club in Cary, IL.

Gene married Joan Harrison in 1954 in Cary, IL and had five children. They later divorced. He later married Sandra Harmes West on May 19, 1990 in Cary, IL and together they moved to the small town of Franklin in Jackson County, WI in 2001.

Gene is survived by his wife, Sandy; three sons, Eugene (Debbie) Jr. of Maryland, John (Lisa) of Missouri and Scott (Jeni) of Illinois; two daughters, Deborah of Illinois and Catherine of Florida; two stepchildren, Daniel West of North Carolina and Dena (Tomas) Justo of Genoa City, WI; two sisters, Ruth Maicke and Therese Ireland both of Cary, IL; eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by a brother, George; two brothers-in-law, John Ireland and Herman Maicke and a nephew, David Ireland.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Ansgar's Catholic Church in Blair with Father Woodrow Pace officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the Hanson-Lien American Legion Post #368 of Hixton-Taylor will be in the Upper Beaver Creek Lutheran Cemetery in rural Taylor.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be designated to Black River Memorial Hospice in Black River Falls, WI.