Wallace T. Kraus, 84 years of St. Leon, passed away peacefully early on the morning of Sunday, March 1, 2026. Wally grew up with 10 siblings in New Alsace, where he attended St. Paul’s grade school and was in the first class to graduate from Guilford High School. After high school, he earned his bachelor degree from Purdue University studying engineering and surveying, then he earned his Master in Engineering from the University of Cincinnati while also taking doctorate classes. He followed his passion and worked as an engineer at Proctor & Gamble for over 15 years. Then, one day Wally came home and told Jackie “I want to restore cars”. That was the beginning of The Car Store, a business that Wally started in St. Leon in the 1980’s. His focus was restoring wrecked cars, mainly Toyotas, so that they were good and safe to drive again. He was still using his engineering degree and this time he had his brothers working beside him.
Another talent of Wally’s was bowling. He was an avid bowler, so good that he could have gone pro. He enjoyed playing in the profitable tournaments and donated most of his winnings to the church. If you happen to be at Durbin Bowl, be sure to look for his name on a plaque for the highest series. Wally also helped to build the Parish Life Center in St. Leon. Interestingly enough the idea of a parish life center came to him in the midst of a massive heart attack many years ago. On his way to the hospital, he had a vision that he was not going to die as he needed to help build the PLC. He and many parishioners helped lead the initiative and build the Parish Life Center for the community. He also helped build four homes including his and Jackie’s home, and homes for his sons while also helping his daughter with home renovations.
Wally will be deeply missed by Jackie, his wife of 55 years; children Martin (Ginger) Kraus, Rachael (Valerie) Boland, and Andrew Kraus; grandchildren Chase (Micole) Love, Kyle Boland, Tess, Kade, Kam, & Asher Fightmaster; siblings Denny (Mary) Kraus, Carol (Paul) Weldishofer, Albert Jr. Kraus, Leon (Donna) Kraus, Sandy (Jim) Wagner, Mark (Sue) Kraus, Maryjane Henning, Tim (Tammy) Kraus; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by siblings Jim (Maria, Beth) Kraus, Paul (Millie) Kraus, SIL Joyce Kraus; and parents Albert and Norma (Wuestefeld) Kraus.
Visitation for Wally will be held on Friday, March 6 at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Rosary will begin at 4:00pm followed by visitation until 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:00am on Saturday, March 7 at St. Paul’s Campus of All Saints 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 in Wally’s honor can be made to Parish Life Center Maintenance and Margaret Mary Hospice and 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.