HUTCHINSON — Marjorie Elizabeth Ann Kraft, 89, passed away on Oct. 11, 2025, at the care center, Legend of Hutchinson in Hutchinson, Kan.  She was born on Nov. 20, 1935, in Great Bend, Kan., the daughter of John and Rachel (Steinert) Karst.

Marj grew up on the family farm near Galatia, Kan.  On Feb. 21, 1954, she married Reinhold J. Kraft in Milberger, Kan. They lived in Ness City, Kan. where they raised their three children, Denise, Rodney, and Valerie. Marj worked in several of the local grocery stores as a cashier and produce manager. She enjoyed getting to know the many customers throughout the years.   She was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Marj is survived by her daughters, Denise Witham of Hutchinson and Valerie Kepple (James) of Manhattan; daughter-in-law, Sharlene Kraft of Pratt: two sisters, Dolores Deutsch of Hoisington and Rita Thompson of Kansas City, Mo.; four grandchildren, Dr. Cole Witham, Dr. Rachel Cook (Kyle), Gage Kepple, and Griffin Kepple; two step-grandsons, Heath Seifried and Chuck Cooper (Joanna); and three step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Reinhold J. Kraft on July 9, 2007; her parents; her son, Rodney Kraft; and two sisters, Helen Schwien and Norma Stricker. 

Funeral service will be on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, 10 a.m., at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Kan. Burial in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kan. at 1:30 p.m. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, Kan., on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, from 1 to 7 p.m. with the family present from 5-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Ness County Bank Building or the Alzheimer’s Association, 535 W. Douglas Ave #150, Wichita, Kansas 67213. Words of sympathy and support may be left for the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Fitzgerald Funeral Home

207 N Pennsylvania Ave.

Ness City, KS 67560

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 16, 2025