Eugene Paul Krauss

Eugene Paul Krauss, age 98, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, with family by his side. He was preceded in death by Lucille (nee Leonhart), his wife for seventy-four years, who passed away in 2023.

Gene's life was guided by a concern for justice and the welfare of others. He was always supportive and caring in his interactions with everyone. He will be missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.

Gene was born on June 17, 1926, to Fredrich and Mathilda (nee Kraushaar) Krauss in Garden City, Kansas. He met Lucy at the University of Minnesota, and they wed in 1949. Throughout their time together, Gene and Lucy were lovingly dedicated to each other. They had three children: Heidi (Patrick), Steve (Noriko), and Gretel (Tim). They also had seven grandchildren (Dana, Robert, Brad, Patricia, Sebastian, Oliver, and Adrian) and two great-grandchildren (Sierra and Xander). Gene was always loving and dedicated to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in-laws. Gene was also a caring brother and was predeceased by his sisters, Marie and Gertrude, and three brothers, Karl, Otto, and Robert.

After graduating high school, Gene served in the Navy and was stationed in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands during World War II. Gene earned a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in Family Casework and Child Welfare, from Case Western Reserve University. For twenty years Gene served as the Executive Director of the Des Moines Family Counseling Center, a multi-function agency with family counseling, Travelers Aid, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also worked for fourteen years as a clinical social worker in the Mental Health unit of Broadlawns Medical Center.

During his fifty-year career in social work, Gene served on numerous committees in the National Association of Social Workers, the local Council of Social Agencies, Family Service Association of America, National Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Travelers Aid Association of America, where he was chair of the Agency Directors Group and a member of the National Travelers Aid Board of Directors. When Gene retired in 2002, he was selected as the Social Worker of the Year by the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Gene was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines and had served as chair of the Social Ministry Committee and as President of the Church Council. Gene was also a member of the Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa, STAR*PAC (Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee), Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (which Lucy was the co-founder of the Des Moines branch), Lutheran Peace Fellowship, and Veterans for Peace.

A memorial service for Gene, including the interment of his ashes, will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 11:00 am. at Grace Lutheran Church (5201 Urbandale Avenue, Des Moines). The service will be preceded by a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. and followed by a Luncheon at the church.

Instead of flowers, please contribute to Grace Lutheran Church to honor Gene.