Jerome James Kraft

Jerome James Kraft, 74, of Willmar, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 9, at First Reformed Church in Willmar with military honors provided by the Spicer American Legion.  Visitation will be from 4:00–7:00 p.m. Thursday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorials are preferred to the Fisher House Foundation at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (www.fisherhouse.org). Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar (www.hafh.org).  A recording of Jerry's service will be available on this site shortly after the service.

Jerome James Kraft was born May 8, 1951, in Harvey, North Dakota, the son of William and Lucille (Kelsch) Kraft. He graduated from West Fargo High School in 1969. Following high school, Jerry joined the U.S. Army and served as a crew chief gunner on a helicopter during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in October 1972.

On May 11, 1974, Jerry was united in marriage to Evelyn Aalfs at Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. Their marriage was blessed with three children - Stacey, Lori, and Amy. The couple made their home in Alexandria and Willmar before moving to Lismore. Jerry worked for Heartland Mutual Insurance Company for 30 years, retiring as company president in 2013. Following his retirement, Jerry and Evelyn returned to the Willmar area.

Jerry served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Lismore and at First Reformed Church in Willmar. He was also a volunteer firefighter in Lismore and a member of the American Legion in Lismore and Spicer. Jerry enjoyed flying remote-control airplanes, woodworking, fishing, tinkering and taking things apart (but not putting back together), playing cards, participating in pool leagues, and spending time with friends. Above all else, he cherished time with his family and especially loved sharing jokes and magic tricks with his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Jerry will be remembered for his loving and forgiving nature, his strange food concoctions, and his never-ending sarcasm—you never quite knew if he was kidding until that familiar little smirk appeared.

Jerry was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of 51 years, whom he loved with all of his heart. Their life together was filled with laughter, partnership, and deep devotion, and he dreamed of taking her traveling one last time.

A proud father of three daughters, Jerry had a special gift for making each one feel like his “little girl.” He taught his girls the value of hard work, responsibility, and strength—lessons that will live on through them. His love, humor, and unforgettable personality will be deeply missed and forever treasured by all who knew him.    

Jerry will be greatly missed  by his wife, Evelyn; three daughters: Stacey (Chris) Kremer, Lori (Scott) Nath, and Amy (Jeff) Stratton; eight grandchildren: Madi (Colby) Johnson, CJ Kremer, Paige (Ryan) Austin, Shelbie (Jared) Smith, Autumn Nath, Jaylin (Isaac) Stauffacher, Morgan (Luke) Daniels, and Macy Stratton; five great-grandchildren: Sawyer Clanin, Theodore Austin, Layton Smith, Mya Smith, and Dean Stauffacher; and two great-grandchildren on the way. He is also survived by his siblings: Janet (Dale) Ronning, Bonita (Bill) Kringen, Rodney (Deb) Kraft, Mary (Dean) Tvedt, Steve (Karen) Kraft, Theresa (Ron) Gehrig, Carol (Kathy) Kraft, and Joe (Renae) Kraft; sisters-in-law: Donna (Ted) Lanning-Berquam, Karen (Roger) Bulthuis, and Ardis (Galen) Gerdes; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Dorothy Aalfs; a brother-in-law, Kenny Lanning; a niece, Melanie Gerdes; and a nephew, Lucas Kringen.

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