Anna Marrie Kraft

Anna Marie Kraft, 86, New Salem, North Dakota, went to Heaven on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Sanford Health, Bismarck. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 21, 2017, at St. Pius V Catholic Church, New Salem, with Fr. John Guthrie officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, July 20, 2017, from 5-7:00 PM, with a Prayer/Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 PM, at St. Pius V Catholic Church. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in St. Pius V Catholic Church Cemetery.

Anna Marie was born May 4, 1931, to Nympha (Dressler) and Carl Schriener at the family farm in Selfridge, North Dakota. She was raised and educated in Selfridge. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Mike Kraft on August 23, 1948, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Anna Marie and Mike made Tacoma, Washington and Anaconda, Montana their homes prior to settling back in Selfridge. In 1963, Anna Marie and Mike moved their family to New Salem, North Dakota, to establish their forever home. In New Salem, Anna Marie and Mike purchased the Case Loma Lounge, a catalyst for the construction of the restaurant/bar/lounge now known as the Sunset Inn; which they owned 43 years. Here Anna Marie was noted for her famous pies, salads, and Thousand Island and Blue Cheese dressings. In 1992, Anna Marie and Mike put Sunset Inn up for lease. Because she was a hard worker, Anna Marie never really retired. She continued to enjoy working multiple jobs in the New Salem community-grocery store, coffee shop, and working at Sunset. Her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren remained most important to Anna Marie.

Anna Marie will be remembered for always having a smile on her face, dressing classy, and her unique sense of humor. She enjoyed making sure her family and the community were never hungry. In her leisure time, Anna Marie enjoyed attending jam sessions, riding on the community bus to activities, and loved talking on the telephone. She particularly enjoyed attending family and community events. Anna Marie was a New Salem community icon and known by everyone.

She is survived by her two daughters and two sons-in law, Patricia Potter (Don Potter also known as C.C. Collier), Arizona City, Arizona, Denise (Timothy) Nilsen, New Salem; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Michael D. (Teri), Bismarck, Nicholas (Cheryl), Mandan, and Brian Cory, Mandan; 15 grandchildren, Michael Jr., Matthew, Annie, Dustin, Tara, Brad, Darin, Tandra, Terry, Thomas, Joseph, Holly, Danyal, Heidi, and Monte; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Anna Marie is preceded in death by her loving husband, Mike; her parents; daughter-in-law, Kathy; two brothers, Nick (Fern) and Joe (Nympha); and two sisters, Viola (Joe) Porter and Margaret (Balzer) Feist.

In lieu of flowers family requests memorials be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society to feed the less privileged.