Kraus, Dorothy H.

Dorothy H. Kraus, 91, of Mooresville, N.C., formerly of Blacksburg, Claremont N.H., and Garfield Heights and Brunswick, Ohio, died Friday following a stroke. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 2, 1921, the second child of Hazel and E. Wayne Cadnum.

She grew up on a 40 acre farm in Brunswick, Ohio, attended high school there and graduated in 1939. She enrolled in the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1940, receiving her nursing diploma in 1943. On August 5, 1944; she married a former patient, William Kraus. They had two sons, William Kraus Jr, now of Topeka, Kan., and David Kraus, now of Cornelius, N.C. During her sons’ childhoods, she worked as a part time night nurse at nearby hospitals. The family was very active in church work, family projects, school affairs and scouting. She received a special award for her work in scouting.

A job change for her husband in 1961 led to the family’s move to Claremont, N.H., where she did night nursing for six years then transferred to a day position as head nurse in the newly developed Critical Care Unit. The unit was highly successful growing to 12 beds for those needing critical care. She remained in her position for 16 years, retiring in November, 1984.

Two months after her retirement, she accepted a position as a part time RN in the offices of Helene and Mario Alvarez, Drs of Internal Medicine and Cardiology. She enjoyed this position for 13 years. She also served on the executive board of the Visiting Nurse Association in Claremont.

Church activities were important to her as she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was on the executive board for a term, taught adult classes, and, together with her husband and another couple, was advisor to the high school youth group. While her sons were in school, she participated in PTA activities and was also a member of the Circle 8 Square Dance Club. A firm believer in physical fitness, she was a committed walker and swimmer, swimming laps three times a week well into her 80s.

At age 76, she enrolled in a Library Techniques course at the UNH School for Lifelong Learning and earned a certificate. She then worked in the library of one of Claremont’s elementary schools as a volunteer. Together with her husband, she was a volunteer at the Claremont Soup Kitchen. They also formed a Friday Luncheon group for home bound people, providing transportation for those who could no longer drive. She was a active member in the Claremont AARP chapter, serving on the executive board and, jointly with a friend, planned and escorted day trips for the group.

On May 24, 2003, she and her husband moved to Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg, VA, to be nearer family. Her husband, William, died on January 7, 2004. Since his death she volunteered, attended enrichment programs, took short trips, joined the Blacksburg Methodist Church and enjoyed being part of the retirement community.

In addition to her husband, William, she was predeceased by three siblings, Keith Cadnum, of Hinkley, Ohio, Lois Dennison, of Medina,Ohio, and Doris Memmer, of Cleveland, Ohio. Members of her surviving family include the Rev. William Kraus Jr, of Topeka, Kan. and his wife, Susan and granddaughter, Heidi Staerkel and grandson, Steve Kraus, and David Kraus and his wife, Jacquelyn, of Cornelius, N.C. and granddaughter, Meagan Kraus and grandson, Michael Kraus; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the Roy Funeral Home, 93 Sullivan St, Claremont, N.H. with the Rev. Priscilla Hull, officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Roy Funeral Home on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of services.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to: The Claremont Soup Kitchen, PO Box 957, Claremont, NH, 03743; First Congregational Church, Pleasant and Pine streets, Claremont, NH, 03743; Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Church and Lee streets, Blacksburg, VA, 24060; or Founders forest Inc, 2603 Warm Hearth Dr, Blacksburg, VA, 24060.