GARY R. KRAUS

Wasilla resident Gary Ralph Kraus, 53, died as a result of an auto collision on March 12, 2004.

A memorial service was held at Valley Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday, March 17. His ashes will be scattered around his property in Beverly Lake Estates.

Mr. Kraus was born Nov. 5, 1950, in New Ulm, Minn.

He attended Lathrop High School through the 11th grade, then earned his G.E.D.

Mr. Kraus moved to Alaska with his family in 1953.

He lived in Fairbanks until he was 18, and then moved to the Anchorage area until he made his home in the Wasilla area in 1978.

His family wrote that his interests included "always fixing some car, and he loved to hunt." They also said, "He also enjoyed wheeling and dealing anything and everything. Gary will be remembered for his ability to always make us laugh. He would lend a hand to anyone who needed it, whether he knew them or not. His kind heart and smiling eyes will be missed by us all."

Mr. Kraus is survived by his fianc/ Debra McAnulty of Wasilla; father Ralph "Whitey" Kraus of Fairbanks; brother and sister-in-law Bill and Lisa Kraus of Fairbanks; sister-in-law Charlott McAnulty of Wasilla; nieces Deserae, Tiana and Harley Kraus of Fairbanks; aunt Charline Groves of Kokomo, Ind.; grandmother Hertha Block ;and numerous other relatives in Minnesota.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.