Kathleen M. Kraus, age 80, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of Ramona, CA, completed her earthly journey on October 21, 2023, at Sunset Park Place in Dubuque while surrounded by her loving family.  To honor Kathleen’s life, a private family service is being held at a later date with burial to follow in the Nuevo Gardens Cemetery in Ramona, CA.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Kathleen’s family.

Kathleen was born on January 12, 1943, in Brooklyn, N.Y., a daughter to Francis J. and Dorothy M. (Niconovitz) Mulvihill.  She was gifted with a strong and determined will which she carried with her throughout her entire life and only came in second to her love of family.  Kathleen eventually met her soul-mate, Andrew E. Kraus, Sr., when they were merely 16 years old in the Bay Ridge neighborhood in Brooklyn.  In time, while he was honorably serving his country with the U.S. Marine Corps, the two were united in marriage in the November of 1963.  They were blessed with 40 wonderful years together and three boys of their own to love and nurture along the way.  Sadly Andrew was called home ahead of Kathleen on March 3, 2003, and she would spend the next 20 years waiting patiently with a broken heart to see her beloved once again, but this time for all of eternity together at last. 

When the boys were young, they decided it was time to move away from the daily adventures of living in Brooklyn, to a quieter life in Ramona, CA.  Kathleen’s love for all things good in this life was allowed to blossom and her family discovered a newfound joy within their new community.  Kathleen’s love for animals became undeniably evident as now there was room for the horses, goats, and ducks to surround them daily.  Kathleen began to raise German Shepherds as well and every animal was virtually adopted to be just like extended family members; the animals were living the good life right alongside the Kraus family. 

Kathleen was the epitome of a loving wife and mother and many of the boys’ friends quickly discovered that she was definitely the “cool mom”.  Kathleen was a remarkable woman through and through, always playing her roll perfectly and never missing a beat.  It’s difficult to imagine a world without her bold and confident presence mingled within ours, but we know and trust that the Lord has decided it was time to bring Kathleen home to His loving arms now.  Thank you, Kathleen, for always putting others before yourself, always in love, and never wavering from what you believed to be right in your eyes.  May your lessons and legacy of love be carried on proudly in the lives of your loved ones and may the memories which you leave behind now help to ease the pain of your absence until we all meet again.    

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Kathleen include,

her two loving sons,

Edward F. “Eddie”  (Kimberley) Kraus, Ramona, CA,

and Michael P. Kraus, Ames, IA;

her adored grandchildren,

Andrew Paul Michael Kraus, Ramona, CA,

and Sarah Marie Marchele (Jason Shaw) Kraus, Las Vegas, NV;

her brother,

Dennis Mulvihill, Honesdale, PA;

along with numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Andrew E. Kraus; her son, Andrew E. Kraus, Jr.; and her brother, Francis J. Mulvihill, Jr.

Kathleen’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Sunset Park Place and Hospice of Dubuque for all of their professional and compassionate care of Kathleen over this past year.  Your sincere love and commitment to her well-being has truly brought some much-needed peace and comfort to the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her during this difficult time, and for that we are forever grateful.

Online condolences may be shared with Kathleen’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com