Mass of Christian Burial for Monroe "Monte" E. Kraft, age 56 , of Timber Lake will be at 11 AM MT, Monday October 4, 2010 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial will be in the Timber Lake Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will start at 6 PM MT on Sunday with a Rosary service at 7 PM MT at the church. Monte passed away Thursday, September 30, 2010 at the St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.

Monroe "Monte" Eugene Kraft was born November 30, 1953 in Mobridge, SD to Herman A. and Joyce (Majorowicz) Kraft. He was second oldest of eight children . He was raised in the Timber Lake area. He attended Holy Cross Catholic School, Grades 1-8 and graduated from TL High School in 1972. After High School he moved to Murdo and was employed at the Triple H gas station. After a year he returned to Timber Lake and started Kraft Ditching and Trenching in 1974.

On November 29, 1975, he married Faye D Lawrence and to this union three sons, Grady, Tyrone and Jett were born. Following their marriage they made their home in Timber Lake. Monte was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and uncle. If you would ask his boys all the things he taught them, you may not have enough time in your day to hear all the stories. He had a very special place in his heart for his grandkids. He was a father and grandfather to anybody who ever needed him. He had a very special spot in his heart for any small child.

In 1976, Monte, his father Herman, and his brother in law Kevin Johnson purchased the Texaco Station. Monte worked very hard, day in and day out to establish his business and support his family. Over the years the business evolved and changed in many ways. From a full service gas station to the Convenience Store and Bar that it is today, he was always trying new things to make the business thrive. It seemed every business venture he pursued, he somehow made it work.

His hobbies were numerous and adventurous. He enjoyed many things, fishing, hunting, breaking horses, team roping, remote control air planes, golf, candle making, raising chickens and ducks, wood working, collecting Native arts, and collecting safes. The people closest to Monte all know he never worked into a hobby, he dove in head first.
He volunteered in the community for many years in a variety of positions. Monte was a member of the Timber Lake Rodeo Club, a Boy Scout leader, served as the Fire Chief of the Timber Lake Fire Department, a City Councilman, and was the Mayor of Timber Lake.

Monte is survived by his loving wife Faye of 34 years, his sons, Grady (Bobbi Jo), Tyrone, and Jett (Lauren) all from Timber Lake. His parents, Herman and Joyce of Timber Lake, brothers, Alvin (Sherrie) of Alliance, NE, and Richard (Caryn) of Sitka, AK, sisters, Maxine Johnson of Bismarck, ND, Kathy Kraft of Pierre, SD, Karen Kraft, of Timber Lake, and Karyl (Mary) Kraft of Minneapolis, MN. His grandchildren, Nathan, Molly, Halle Jo, and Dawson of Timber Lake, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his Grandparents, Jake and Elizabeth Kraft, Roy and Ruby Majorowicz, a brother Michael Kraft, brother-in-law Kevin Johnson, and his grandson Kayden Dayne Kraft.

Honorary pall bearers include his family, friends, customers and patrons.