"Photo" Charles "Charlie" E. Kraus Charles "Charlie" E. Kraus, 69, of New Holstein died Sunday morning December 20, 2009 at the Homestead Care Center in New Holstein following a short battle with leukemia. He was born October 12, 1940 near Mount Calvary in the Town of Marshfield to the late William & Agnes Schaefer Kraus. Charlie attended Holy Cross Catholic Grade School in Mount Calvary. On May 20, 1961 he married Kathleen "Tootie" Halbach at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein. Charlie worked at Tecumseh Engine Products in New Holstein for 32 ½ years. He and his wife Tootie also owned and operated K&K Bar in St. Anna for 21 ½ years. They retired from the bar in 2003. In addition, Charlie worked as a funeral assistant for the Huss Funeral Home and later on the Sippel Funeral Home. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein and a former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joe. Charlie enjoyed his games of sheephead, skat and other card games with his friends as well as his various gambling trips he took. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen "Tootie"; his 7 children, Linda (Steve) Schmitz of St. Anna, Debbie (Tom) Pfeifer of West Bend, Chris (Pat) Simon of St. Joe, Lisa (Mike) Schmitz of St. Anna, Kelly (Jamie) Ausloos of New Holstein, Brian (Teri) Kraus of Brillion and Brad Kraus of St. Anna; 15 grandchildren, Kim Schmitz of Plover, Katie Schmitz of St. Anna, Carrie (Andy) Goodyear of Appleton, Corey Pfeifer of Plymouth, Kevin Pfeifer and his special friend, Veronica Cantrall of Plymouth, Stefanie (Kyle) Wagner of Mount Calvary, Danielle Simon of Milwaukee, Tarah Simon of St. Joe, Missy Schmitz of St. Anna, Pvt. Ryan Schmitz serving his country in Iraq, Ashley Ausloos of Green Bay, Erica (Jeremy) Gebhart of Malone, Jeremy Ausloos of New Holstein, Jacob Ausloos of New Holstein and Paige Kraus of Brillion; 3 great-grandchildren, Addyson Gebhart, Tate Southworth and Natalie Wagner and a 4th great-grandchild (Baby Goodyear) to be born in the next few weeks; 3 brothers, Marvin (Betty) Kraus of Calvary Station, Ralph (Bernice) Kraus of Mount Calvary and Alex (Marlene) Kraus of Fond du Lac; his sister-in-law, Rosetta Kraus of Mount Calvary; his father-in-law, Sylvester Halbach and his special friend Myrtle Sabel of New Holstein; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Don (Nancy) Halbach of Mount Calvary, Gerry (JoAnn) Halbach of Marytown, Dan (Karen) Halbach of New Holstein, Paul (Jan) Halbach of Chilton, Mike (Cindy) Halbach of New Holstein, Steve (Angie) Halbach of New Holstein, Scott (Mary Beth) Halbach of New Holstein, Jean (Tom) Mueller of Kiel, Joan (Rick) Mueller of Highland Park, IL, Mary (Bruce) Schaar of New Holstein and Deb (Mike) Heus of Marytown; nieces and nephews other relatives and many friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, William & Agnes Kraus; an infant son, Greg Kraus; 2 brothers, Anthony & Jerome Kraus; 4 sisters, Genevieve & Janette Kraus, Rosetta Ries and Evelyn Cords; his mother-in-law, Helen Halbach; 2 brothers-in-law, Alvin Cords and Ralph Ries and a special Godchild, Lynn Petrie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday December 23, 2009 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church 1724 Madison Street New Holstein. Rev. Harold Berryman, Pastor, will officiate. Cremation will follow traditional services with inurnment taking place in St. Joseph's Cemetery in St. Joe. Family and friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home 2618 Altona Ave. New Holstein on Tuesday December 22, 2009 from 2-7 PM and again Wednesday morning from 9-10:30 AM when brief family rites will be held at the funeral home. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM. Charlie's family would like to thank Dr. Pleviak, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center staff especially Dr. Kumar and Cindy Malson, the staff at Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center, the Aurora Dialysis Center in Sheboygan, the Homestead Care Center staff and his many friends and family that helped Charlie through these past months. For additional information please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.