Lillian S. Wagner Kraus

Lillian S. Wagner Kraus, 92, passed away peacefully Monday, November 28, 2022, surrounded by her family at the St. Francis Home. She was born in Johnsburg on May 28, 1930, to Albin and Julia (Fuhrman) Wagner. On April 12, 1950, Lillian was united in marriage to Elmer A. Wagner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg. Together, they raised their twelve children in Silica. He preceded her in death on October 26, 1988. On May 3, 1991, Lillian was united in marriage to Bruno Kraus at St. Peter Catholic Church in Malone. He preceded her in death on June 28, 2018.

Lillian was a devoted member of St. Peter Catholic Church. Mass and the Rosary were very important to her. Lillian was a loving mother, stepmother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her large family. She worked alongside Elmer on the family farm. Lillian was known for her cooking, baking, gardening, and canning. She loved decorating for Christmas, and was interested in the history of the area, having filled many scrapbooks. Lillian also contributed to the Malone Museum over the years. She loved taking lots of pictures, traveling with Elmer, and later Bruno, and collecting magnets from around the country, only missing 2 of the 50 states.

Survivors include her 12 children, Annie (the late Terry) Reitz of Van Dyne, Joe (Mary Grace) Wagner and Mary (Don) Schneider, all of Malone, Ken Wagner, and Julie Kohlman, all of Fond du Lac, Bill (Jill) Wagner of Malone, Debra (Randall) Freund and Rick (Brenda) Wagner all of Mt. Calvary, Laurie (Ron) Meyer of Chilton, Mark (Tess) Wagner of Fond du Lac, Terry (Mary) Wagner of Malone, and Melissa (Scott) Muche of Mayville; and one stepson, Jerry (Barb) Kraus of Malone; 23 grandchildren, Tara (Brian) Wendt, Tim (Tina) Reitz, Dana (Cara) Wagner, Kyle (Stefanie) Wagner, Breyn (Tony) Dowland, Christopher (Franny) Kraus, Bridget (Dave) Allain, Jennifer (Scott) Winkelmann, Karina (Eric) Schraufnagel, Kristin (Ben) Pollack, Joe Kohlman, Brett (Jaci) Kohlman, Britney and Dakota Wagner, Aubrey (Brandon) Amraen, Brent (Hailey) Wagner, Arielle (Grant) Wollersheim, Leah (Ben) Miller, Hannah and Caroline Wagner, Kayla and Heidi Wagner, and Samantha Muche. She is further survived by twelve step-grandchildren, Jake (Lisa) Kraus, Tom Kraus, Katy (John) Koenigs, Peter (Monique) Kraus, Jami (Kevin) Hellmer, Shawn Freund, Heidi (James) Degeneffe, Eric Meyer (fiancé Paige Powers), Maeghan Greeno, Nick (Steph) Muche, Mariah (Keith) Hovland, and Kirsten (Nick) Pilsner; 43 great and step great-grandchildren; 2 sisters-in-law, Jeannine Birschbach and Janelle Wagner; a brother-in-law, Martin (Jane) Kraus; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Elmer, and her second husband, Bruno; 2 sons-in-law, Bill Kraus, and Terry Reitz; two sisters, Bernetta (Jerome) Birschbach and Lucille (Jerome) Birschbach; a brother, Albin Wagner, Jr.; her godson, Gerald Birschbach; and goddaughter, Carol Birschbach; as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law from both Elmer and Bruno’s families.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Friday, December 2, 2022, at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 3, 2022, at St. Peter Catholic Church, N8079 Church Rd. in Malone. Visitation will be held at the church, beginning at 9:30 AM and continuing until the time of Mass. Burial in the parish cemetery will follow the services.

“Thank you so much to the St. Francis Home staff for the 7 ½ years of loving care they gave Lillian.”

– family of Lillian Kraus

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com