Leo Edward Kraft, 67, of Breckenridge, MN, formerly of Devils Lake and St. Michael, ND passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Sanford Health Care Center in Fargo, ND, after a long battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake on Friday, February 19, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Leo's grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Reading the Scriptures will be Pastor Dean Bjorlin. Gift Bearers will be his grandchildren. Music will be provided by Jodi Kurtz, Rick Senger and Pastor Tim Collins

Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.

Leo was born to Lambert and Katherine (Bertsch) Kraft on June 10th, 1948, in Devils Lake ND. He entered the Army in September 1969, attending basic training in Seattle and serving at Camp Kasey in Korea until his honorable discharge in 1971. He married the love of his life, Sandy Solwey, June 23rd, 1973, at Sandy's family home in St. Michael ND. They had 4 wonderful children. He farmed with his father on their St. Michael land until 1988, taking over when his father passed away. In 1984, he started his own auction company, which he had until moving to Breckenridge MN in 2005. In addition to being a small business owner, Leo was a crop adjuster starting at Great American Crop Insurance and eventually taking a position with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) where he was employed until his death.

Leo was a Commissioner for Benson County from 1982 to 1990, taking an active role on several boards. He was also an Alderman on the Breckenridge City Commission for three years. Leo was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and VFW Post #7564 in West Fargo ND. When possible, Leo volunteered for organizations such as the Devils Lake Rural Fire Department and St. Francis Healthcare Center.

Leo loved spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids, family, and friends. He enjoyed visiting with people and telling stories to anyone who would listen. Leo was a skilled woodworker, making all sorts of creations in his shop. His last project was a barn for his grandchildren to play with while visiting at Grandpa and Grandma's. Leo also collected several guns that were frequently used for hunting and target practice. He really loved food, enjoying a steak dinner or ice cream at Dairy Queen whenever he got the chance. Leo's favorite pastime was driving around the country, in his truck or on his four-wheeler, taking in all of God's beauty.

Leo will be deeply missed by his wife Sandy, four children and their families: Bobbi Jo (Jeremy) Kuipers, Riley, Chloe, Cody and Kasey of Kragnes MN; Jason (Kimberly) Kraft, Elizabeth, Samantha, and Andrew of Devils Lake ND, Angela (Robert) Schneider, Emily, Lilly and Maxwell, of Fargo ND; and Megan (Brian) Swenseth, Baby Swen, and Elisa Savoia of Devils Lake ND. Leo is also survived by his brother Louie (Claudia) of St. Michael ND; his sisters Pauline Kenninger of Cooperstown ND and Helen (George) Klemetsrud of Cole Harbor ND; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lambert and Katherine Kraft, his brother, Paul Kraft, brother-in-law, Allen Kenninger, father and mother-in-law, John and Irene (Simon) Solwey.