Doris Kraus, 80
May 21, 1931 — Jan. 19, 2012

Doris Ann “Dorie” Kraus, 80, of Edwardsburg, passed to her rest Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at her home after a brief illness.
She was born May 21, 1931, in Erie, Pa., to Joseph and Fern (Sowby) Dahlkemper.

Dorie was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church, Edwardsburg, being a sacristan; for many years she organized and oversaw the funeral luncheons and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She also accomplished many other duties for the church. She welcomed and housed five foreign exchange students in the Edwardsburg area. In her earlier years living in Erie, she was a nursery assistant at Erie Infant Home, where she was affectionately known as “Momma Kraus.”
On May 19, 1953, in Erie, Pa., Dorie married Edward G. Kraus and they came to Edwardsburg 42 years ago. Her husband, Ed, passed in 2001, and her parents have passed, as well as a brother, John ‘Jack” Dahlkemper; sisters-in-law, Agnes Dahlkemper and Lois Dahlkemper; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Lopus.
Surviving are Dorie and Ed’s children: Edward (Teresa) Kraus of Elkhart, Ind.; Chris (Sandy) Kraus of Elkhart; Marge (Thomas) Powell of Land of Lakes, Fla.; Tina Kraus of Edwardsburg; Thad Kraus (Connie Sweet) of Pottersville, Mich.; Pamela (James) Brugh of Granger, Ind.; Nick (Lisa) Kraus of Cassopolis; Kathleen (Andy) Lauri of Niles; and Pauline Kraus (Nick Mutter) of Riverview, Fla. There are 21 loving grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Rita Lopus of Meadsville, Pa., and Eleanore (Robert) Lindenberger of Erie. There are three brothers: Joe (Nancy) Dahlkemper of Marco Island, Fla.; Jerry Dahlkemper of Erie; and David (Charlene) Dahlkemper of Erie.
Friends and family gathered at Our Lady of the Lake church social hall, 24832 U.S. Highway 12 East, Edwardsburg, on Monday, Jan. 23, from 2 to 7 p.m. There were prayers for Dorie at 7 p.m. led by Father Joe McCormick, church pastor.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. at the church with Father Joe McCormick.  There was a gathering time Tuesday for one hour prior to Mass. Burial followed in Adamsville Cemetery, where she was laid to rest next to her husband, Ed.
Memorial donations are to be directed to Our Lady of the Lake Church or the St. Patrick’s Foundation (Mission in Jamaica).
The funeral arrangements were by Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, Edwardsburg.