Mildred “Millie” Kraus, 79 years old of Dover, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025. Millie grew up on a farm in Harrison, OH where they raised dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, tobacco, and grew their own produce. She had many chores around the farm including milking the cows before school, selling the eggs, and helping with the garden. Millie continued her love for gardening into adulthood where she always grew a variety of flowers at home and specialized in cultivating roses.
Millie was from a large family and always had cousins to play with. Holidays were full of laughter and games with so many people around. She worked at Batesville Casket for 39 years in various roles, holding a credit correspondent position before retirement. Later in life Millie found joy in reading anything she could get her hands on and loved to crochet. Some of her favorite projects were the afghans she made her grandchildren.
Millie was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 452 where she was President for 14 years. She loved this service as it supported the veterans, specifically the Indiana Veterans Home where they would send cards or gifts for birthdays and holidays, in addition to money to support the veterans. Millie was also very strong in her Catholic faith and took several trips to Conyers, GA to see the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church and most recently St. Paul’s Catholic Church of All Saints Parish.
Anyone that knew Millie, knew she was one of the most kind and gentle souls around. Many considered Millie a friend that you could trust in and rely upon. She was very giving of her time and talents to those in the community and beyond.
Millie will be deeply missed by her children Michael (Natalie) Ferry, Krista (Joe) Ferry-Wilber, and Patrick Ferry; step-daughters Melissa (Gavin) Hoffman, Teresa (Phillip) Reksel, Heather (Michael) Walter; grandchildren Hannah (Logan Love) Wilber, Peyton Wilber, Miranda & Grayson Ferry, Abigail Ferry, Scarlett & Violet Reksel, Hailey Hoffman, Blake & Paige Walter; great grandchildren Wyatt Smith, Elliott Love, Scarlett Love; siblings Wilma Minger, Dale (Betty) Barth, Carol (John) Anthony, Roy (Lori) Barth; many in-laws from the Ferry and Kraus families; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by first husband Tom Ferry and second husband Paul Kraus; siblings Louis Barth, James Barth, Alvin Barth; and parents Nelly and Edwin Barth.
Visitation honoring Millie will be held on Friday, January 2 from 4:30pm – 7:30pm at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 3 at 11:00am at St. Paul’s Campus of All Saint Parish. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 452 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.