Cover photo for Leonard Peter Kraker's Obituary
Leonard Peter Kraker Profile Photo
1927 Leonard 2011

Leonard Peter Kraker

October 5, 1927 — July 8, 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Leonard P. Kraker, 83, of Sioux City passed away Friday, July 8, 2011, at a Sioux City hospital, after a brief illness.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Dan Guenther officiating, at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Leonard was born on Oct. 5, 1927, in Ogema, Minn., the son of John and Mary Ann (Lorsung) Kraker. He graduated from Wauburn (MN) High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1946.

While stationed at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif., he met and married Betty Jane Booker in 1953. His 21-year military career took him to several locations around the U.S. and overseas, including France, Korea, Germany and Japan. In 1967, he retired at the rank of master sergeant in Alexandria, La.

Leonard started his second career in the convenience store business as a district manager. In 1971, the family moved to Sioux City, where he started the Pik-n-Pak convenience store chain. In 1976, he started the Zip Mart stores, that he owned and operated with his son.

He was a generous man, always willing to help others. He was a very proud "grandpa," never missing any of his grandchildren's events. He was a member of The Church of the Nativity.

He is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Nicholas and her husband, Chris of St. Louis, Mo.; a son, Lenny Kraker and his wife, Shelly of Sioux City; two granddaughters, Jessica Nicholas and Sarah Nicholas, both of St. Louis; two grandsons, Michael Kraker and Kory Kraker, both of Sioux City; one sister, Betty Cook and her husband, Cecil; and many nieces and nephews.

Leonard spent the last years of his life caring for his wife, Betty, who passed away June 10, 2011. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Mathilda Kraker; three brothers, Lawrence Kraker, John Kraker and James Kraker; and five sisters, Rosalie Kraker, Florence James, Mary Ann Niehaus, Margaret Erickson and Mildred Caspers.
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