Obituary for Mary Jean Kraft (Nystrom)
Mary Jean Kraft was born to eternal life on Monday, March 28, 2022 at Tudor Oaks Senior Living Community in Muskego, WI at the age of 77. Surrounded by family, she surrendered her battle with Alzheimer’s and is now at peace.
Born in Cumberland, WI, Mary was a graduate of Cumberland High School and later attended Luther College in Iowa and then the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she completed her master’s degree in music education. She would go on to live a life in music. She taught in the Greendale School District as a music teacher where she poured her heart into the music programs in several Greendale elementary schools.
Additionally, she was a choir director at Atonement Lutheran Church for more than 25 years. Her dedication to serving the music ministry along with her involvement in various activities at church added significant meaning in her life. She valued the close friendships that were formed in the Atonement community.
After retiring from teaching and directing, she continued her love for singing and music by joining The Women of Note women’s chorus. She loved music, even naming her cats after Mozart: Wolfgang and Constanze.
But above all, she loved her family. She was a proud mother and grandmother, and was Ben’s and Valerie’s biggest cheerleader.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Hazel Nystrom, and her brother David Nystrom.
Mary is survived by her children Ben Kraft (Nikki) and Valerie Simonsen (Chris) whom she shared with Roger Kraft; grandchildren Alexandra Simonsen and Maxwell Simonsen; brother Dan Nystrom (Judy); sisters Anne Otley (Richard), Charlotte Carlson (Bruce), and Lois Peterson (Richard). Also survived by sister-in-law Marjorie Nystrom, nieces and nephews, and relatives and friends.
A special thank you to the loving staff at the Tudor Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care communities.
Mary would want any gifts or memorials to be designated in support of traditional worship music at Atonement Lutheran Church.
Visitation at Atonement Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 10 to 11 AM. Funeral Service 11 AM.
Born in Cumberland, WI, Mary was a graduate of Cumberland High School and later attended Luther College in Iowa and then the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she completed her master’s degree in music education. She would go on to live a life in music. She taught in the Greendale School District as a music teacher where she poured her heart into the music programs in several Greendale elementary schools.
Additionally, she was a choir director at Atonement Lutheran Church for more than 25 years. Her dedication to serving the music ministry along with her involvement in various activities at church added significant meaning in her life. She valued the close friendships that were formed in the Atonement community.
After retiring from teaching and directing, she continued her love for singing and music by joining The Women of Note women’s chorus. She loved music, even naming her cats after Mozart: Wolfgang and Constanze.
But above all, she loved her family. She was a proud mother and grandmother, and was Ben’s and Valerie’s biggest cheerleader.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Hazel Nystrom, and her brother David Nystrom.
Mary is survived by her children Ben Kraft (Nikki) and Valerie Simonsen (Chris) whom she shared with Roger Kraft; grandchildren Alexandra Simonsen and Maxwell Simonsen; brother Dan Nystrom (Judy); sisters Anne Otley (Richard), Charlotte Carlson (Bruce), and Lois Peterson (Richard). Also survived by sister-in-law Marjorie Nystrom, nieces and nephews, and relatives and friends.
A special thank you to the loving staff at the Tudor Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care communities.
Mary would want any gifts or memorials to be designated in support of traditional worship music at Atonement Lutheran Church.
Visitation at Atonement Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 10 to 11 AM. Funeral Service 11 AM.