Mary Ellen Kraus

Mary Ellen Kraus began her journey to heaven on April 28th, 2024 after receiving last rites from Monsignor Ken Leone. Her life was full of fun and adventures; she was deeply involved with the Catholic church.

Mary Ellen was born March 14th, 1930 in Fargo, North Dakota, to Alfred and Kathleen Shaheen. She graduated from college in North Dakota with a Bachelor of Arts degree and when on to teach home economics at the college level.

Mary Ellen married Gerald Kraus (Jerry) and moved to Cut Bank, Montana where they purchased and operated the Cutbank Green House and Floral. In 1961, they moved to Aurora, Colorado and started numerous businesses over the years, including a delicatessen, liquor stores and carwashes.

Jerry and Mary Ellen were very involved with Rotary International. They frequently participated in charity events and would then travel Internationally to deliver wheel chairs in Russia, sewing machines to Vietnam plus numerous other countries.

Her love of skiing started in the 60’s when she and Jerry built a cabin outside of Georgetown, CO, providing for countless fun days of skiing at Loveland Ski Basin.

Mary Ellen earned her private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying; also providing some “humor” to the flight tower operators when her Cessna 150 became stuck in a snowbank when taxiing on the runway.

She was an artist and enjoyed painting with oils and watercolors, drawing with pastel chalk. Playing bridge was one of her favorite hobbies; she always ready to host a table of bridge at her home. Tennis was another passion that she excelled at. Her love of sewing ranged from creating formal dresses in college, to living room drapes, and stylish clothes throughout her life.

In 1981, Mary Ellen and Jerry purchased a summer home on Flathead Lake, Montana where they hosted countless family members and friends. Mary Ellen would cook delicious meals, bake incredible desserts and fill the kitchen with laughter as she always had a new joke to tell.

She is survived by her 3 children, Matthew Kraus of Englewood, CO (Ulisys); Ann Kraus of Highlands Ranch, CO; Joseph Kraus of Aurora, CO (Vera); her two grandchildren, Jessica French of Salmon, ID; Aaron French of Livermore, CA (Sarah). She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald Kraus, her parents Alfred and Kathyleen Shaheen, her brother Michael Shaheen; as well as many of her dearest friends and relatives.