Floyd James Kraetsch, age 95, of Luverne, Minnesota, died on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Luverne Hospice Cottage. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne with memorial service starting at 11 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home.
Please vi s it www. hartquistfuneral.com to view Floyd’s life history and to sign an online registry.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Luverne Hospice Cottage.
Floyd James Kraetsch was born on Jan. 30, 1931, to George and Emmy (Moeller) Kraetsch at the hospital in Ellsworth, Minnesota. He was raised and worked on the family farm a half-mile south of Kanaranzi, Minnesota.
Floyd attended school in Kanaranzi and Magnolia, graduating from Magnolia High School in 1949. He then went to work at the Kanaranzi elevator. In January 1951, Floyd enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country during the Korean War, attaining the rank of 2nd Boilerman. Following his honorable discharge in December 1954, he returned home and continued working in the family farming operation.
On Oct. 15, 1955, Floyd was united in marriage to Mary Kleine at the United Methodist Church in Luverne, Minnesota.
They made their home on the Kraetsch family farm south of Kanaranzi and were blessed with three children. Floyd was a dedicated livestock and crop farmer for decades. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Worthington, Minnesota for a time and then moved to Luverne.
Floyd and Mary enjoyed traveling with family and friends, lake vacations in northern Minnesota and summers in the Iowa Great Lakes area during their retirement years. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Floyd passed away at the Luverne Hospice Cottage at 95 years, two months and 10 days.
Floyd was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne where he had served as an Elder. He was generous with time and talent as a volunteer for many community organizations and served as a member of the Kanaranzi and Luverne Lions Clubs. Floyd’s hobbies included hunting, fishing and woodworking. Most of all, he cherished time spent with family and friends.
Floyd is survived by his son, Kevin (Sherri) of Magnolia; two daughters, Karla (Timothy) Kuisle of Northfield, Minnesota, and Kelly (Dave Konopacky) of Conover, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Annette Sandager, Katherine Kraetsch, Eric Kraetsch, Ashley Kraetsch and Laura Hoebing; step-grandchildren, Casey Elbers and Yssi Entzie; thirteen great-grandchildren; sister, Twila (Milt) Louck of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents and three siblings.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are graciously appreciated to Luverne Hospice Cottage, 307 N. McKenzie, Luverne, MN 56156.
