Lucille "Lucy" Leonhart Krauss

She was officially a strong and feisty woman. Lucille (Edith) Leonhart Krauss, age 99, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2023, with her husband, Eugene Krauss, and family by her side. Compassion and a concern for the welfare of others characterized Lucy’s life. She was always gracious and caring in her interactions with everyone she encountered. Her kindness touched all who crossed her path; she will be missed by family, friends, and everyone who knew her.

Lucy was born on July 17, 1924, to William and Edith (nee Bergman) Leonhart in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She met Eugene Krauss at the University of Minnesota, and they wed in 1949. For seventy-four years, they were lovingly dedicated to each other. Lucy and Gene had three children: Heidi (Patrick), Steve (Noriko), and Gretel (Tim). They also had seven grandchildren (Robert, Dana, Brad, Patricia, Sebastian, Oliver, and Adrian) and two great-grandchildren (Sierra and Xander). Lucy was always loving and attentive to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, and anyone she met, whom she often treated as family. Lucy was also a loving sister and was predeceased by her brother, Bill (Ramona) Leonhart.

After graduating from high school, Lucy earned a B.A. in Elementary Education at the University of Minnesota in 1947. She then taught elementary school for one year in Ontario, California, and two years in Minneapolis. Lucy also did graduate work as a Reading Specialist at Drake University in Des Moines and was a Title One Reading Teacher for five years in Des Moines Public Schools and four years in Urbandale Public Schools.

Lucy's concern for others also infused her organizational activities. Lucy was co-founder and former president of the Des Moines chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and a national board member for WILPF. She was also a former Central Committee member of the Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee (STARPAC). Lucy was active in the Grace Lutheran Church (Urbandale) community and a former president of the Grace Church Women’s Group. Lucy was also a member of Church Women United.

Lucy was actively and passionately committed to civil rights, anti-war, and community welfare causes. She organized, marched, and protested to advance peace, equality, and justice. Due to her relentless and tireless devotion to social activism, WILPF honored Lucy with the Strong and Feisty Woman Award in 2012.

A memorial service for Lucy, including the interment of her ashes, will be held on Saturday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Urbandale, Iowa. 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 Lucy.