Vella Mae Kraft Jantz (1929-2020)

Vella Mae Kraft Jantz, 91, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Wichita, Kan. She was born Jan. 2, 1929 in Wichita to Walter and Alma (Mehl) Kingan.

Vella Mae was a longtime Holyrood, Kan. resident, living there since age four. She married Clarence Kraft in Holyrood Dec. 8, 1948. She was a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, the Ladies’ Aide, Quilting Bee, and the Red Hats. She worked as the city treasurer and clerk for many years as well as a cook at the Little Chef Café and the Big L.

Vella Mae is survived by her daughters, Gayle Woodhouse (Woody) of Emporia, Kan., Karla Reif (Eldon) of Holyrood, and Leah Redding (Rusty) of Wichita; and grandsons, Zachary Redding of Odessa, Fla., Wyatt Redding (Aubry) of Lenexa, Kan., and Tanner Redding of Wichita. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; and brother, Ralph Kingan.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 3, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth.

Graveside service is at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 3, at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Holyrood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.