Eugene Alfred William Kraus

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Gene Kraus, of Abbotsford, BC on February 22, 2022, at the age of 80.

Gene is survived by his six children and their spouses, Launi (Steve), Kevin (Monika), Dwayne (Laura), Jason (Debbie), Alanna (Glen), Katherine (Sean); his grandchildren, Wesley, Samantha (Scott), William, Nicholas (Kyla), Kurtis, Nadia, Gerritt, Remy, Landon, Sydney, Rylan, Nathan, Estella, Jasper; great grandchildren, Skylar and Hudson; and other family and friends. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Maureen; sister, Marianne; and grandson, Ian.

Gene was born on October 12th, 1941 in Vancouver, BC. He began an engineering degree at UBC but it was cut short so he could take over the family’s general contracting business after his father’s untimely death. Later, along with his sons, he built hundreds of houses across the lower mainland. It was in the curling rink where he met his wife, Maureen and they were married in 1966. Together, they started their family in Vancouver but quickly out grew their home. In 1975, they moved to a farm in Bradner. It was in the sporting communities of curling and the Matsqui Blades Speed Skating Club where he made many lifelong friends. He had success competing at the provincial level in curling and spent many years volunteering as a timer at speed skating events eventually volunteering at the 88’ Olympic Games in Calgary. In his final years, Gene lived with his son Dwayne and daughter in-law Laura where he enjoyed having his coffee in the backyard. He loved sitting under cover and listening to the rain but he especially enjoyed watching the grandkids in the pool, while savoring snacks and a cold beer with family and friends.

Gene was an extremely proud man and it didn’t matter who you were, he treated everyone as family. He was jovial and had a laugh that pulled you in. Gene was a humble man but didn’t mind to tell what each of his kids were up to, always bursting with pride with a tear in his eye.

A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held Friday, March 4, 2022 at 11:30 am at Henderson’s Fraser Valley Funeral Home, 34537 Marshall Road, Abbotsford with a viewing beforehand at 10:30 am. Internment will take place at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Eugene’s memory are greatly appreciated.