Frances Marie Kraus

Frances Marie Kraus, 88, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, of Lakeside/Chula Vista, passed away peacefully at the LakeView Hospice Home in La Mesa, CA on Thursday, August 15th, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

Frances was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on May 13, 1936 to Alexander and Alice Purta. She graduated from Marymount Catholic High School and received her Registered Nursing Degree from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Pennsylvania.

Fran was a devoted wife to Les Kraus for 46 years before his passing from Pancreatic Cancer in July of 2004. She was a loving Mom to James (son) and Maria Kraus, Frances (daughter) and John Balough, Linda (daughter) and Bill Hatheway, Paul (son) and Caitlin Kraus and Patrick (son) and Michelle Kraus. Fran was a proud grandma to Chantelle Brown, Aleah Werner, Christopher Williams, Scott Kraus, Danielle Balough, Britty Balough-Means, Trina Balough, Cameron Balough, Aubrey Kraus, and Catherine Kraus. She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren – Tyler and Brody Williams, Hagen and Reagan Scolastico, Bronson Brown, Logan and Jaxon Werner, Tyus and Kylan Means and Luna and Hazel Kraus.

Fran was preceded in death by Alex and Alice Purta (parents), Les Kraus (husband) and Al Purta (brother) and is survived by Bernie and Ginny Purta (brother and sister-in-law), Barabara Purta (sister-in-law) and Melissa, Francis, Juan and Anna Faura (niece and family) and many family members and friends across the United States.

Besides raising five children as a Navy wife and traveling the globe, Fran volunteered at her children’s schools including running the Bingo Scholarship Program at Castle Park High, being PTA President, room mom and a classroom volunteer. She had many wonderful, life-long friends and was the Neighborhood Mom whom parents looked to for support in the care of their children as her RN degree was kept current throughout the years. Fran enjoyed cake decorating, cooking her family’s favorite meals, and sewing costumes and outfits for special occasions. Her love for holidays and family traditions was evident to all who knew her. She was often team-mom and the biggest cheerleader and supporter of her children and grandchildren in their dance recitals, sports activities, award ceremonies at school and everyday life. Fran was a sports enthusiast who loved her Padres and Chargers, enjoyed cruising the seas especially with Dad, and looked forward to her many trips to Vegas and Viejas with her family and friends. Family was everything to Fran and she instilled that in each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Fran’s legacy will live on in all who knew and loved her.

Church service will be held at 11 o’clock at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1120 Cuyamaca Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911 on Friday, September 13, 2024. Rosary and Celebration of Life will follow at 12:30 at Humphrey Mortuary/Funeraria Del Angel at 753 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Internment at Fort Rosecrans to join her beloved husband at a later date in a private family ceremony.