Barbara Anne Kraft

Barbara Anne Kraft, age 88, died in the loving presence of family on February 19th, 2024, after living for many years with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Barb was born in Stafford, Kansas on December 25th, 1935 and was proud to say she shared a birthday with Jesus.  She fondly spent her childhood on a farm in Langdon, Kansas.  She moved to Colorado with her first husband, Edward Mitchell, in 1959, where they raised their two children, Ed and Cindy.

Barb taught elementary school for 35 years and in 1984 obtained a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado.  She had a heart for service and worked in disadvantaged schools and special education.  

In retirement, she met the love of her life, Larry Kraft.  They spent 22 happy years together in Southeast Denver before his passing in 2020.

Barb was a very active member of Altitude Church (formerly Sloan’s Lake Church of God) where she taught Sunday School, hosted small group studies, and volunteered with the homeless ministry.

Barb will be remembered for her endlessly kind spirit,  constant smile that could light up a room, her laugh, her tremendous love of books (and the Broncos).

Barb was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her parents Myra and Lawrence Cassidy, sisters Patty Sorem and Jan Stoll, and son Ed Mitchell.  She is survived by daughter Cindy (Gary) Pounders, Thornton, CO, step-son Chuck (Aileen) Kraft, Denver, CO, sister Nancy (David) Stonebraker, Ellsworth, KS, grandson Aaron (Jamie) Pounders, Arvada, CO, granddaughter Stephanie (Paul) Daly, Fort Worth, TX, four great grandchildren and numerous step-family.

Memorial Services will be held at Horan & McConaty (9998 Grant Street, Thornton, Colorado) on Saturday, March 9th at 10:00AM with a reception to follow.