Peter Arlyn Kracht, age 59, of Steen, Minnesota, died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
Visitation was Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral service was Friday, April 11, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Living Rock Church in Luverne. Trucks were driven to the funeral service in honor of Pete. Burial followed at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
Arrangements were under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. To read Pete’s life history or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Peter Arlyn Kracht was born on August 14, 1965, to Albert and Anna Mae (Ver Beek) Kracht in Rock Rapids, Iowa. When he was two years old, the family moved to Steen, Minnesota. From a very early age, he and his older sister Trudy both learned a strong work ethic by milking cows by hand, bailing hay, and walking beans.
When they were not working on the farm, they made their own fun playing with their farm toys, riding bike, and enjoying the animals on the farm. Pete attended Hills-Beaver Creek High School and graduated in 1983.
After high school, he went on to work at Hills Stainless Steel for 10 years. He then drove truck for Dwayne and Becky Christensen pulling dry van and reefer trailers.
On August 4, 1994, Pete was united in marriage to Tammy (Kruger) Kracht. Their 25-year marriage was blessed with their children, Thomas, Katie, and Kaden. That same year, Pete got his own authority and purchased his first of many trucks. He hauled a variety of freight until 2008, when he began hauling livestock for Riggs Trucking. In 2011 he began hauling loads for Zomer Trucking. On January 28, 2025, Pete arrived home from completing his last run.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, Pete died peacefully surrounded by family at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne at the age of 59 years, 7 months, and 24 days.
Pete was a member of Rock River Community Church (formerly First Assembly of God) in rural Luverne, Minnesota. His favorite Bible verse was Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, then who shall be against us?”
Pete enjoyed building and racing cars in his spare time. His love for “wrenching” started at the age of 19 when he would spend many nights working on personal vehicles to get running by morning. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t fix. He had his own “racing family” in Ash Creek, Minnesota. His favorite track to race at was Lake County Speedway in Madison, South Dakota. When he was 25, he began junking with Grandpa Barney, continuing to do so with his own children.
Pete was known for being humble, hardworking, kind, funny, and tough as nails. He enjoyed eating good food, especially movie theater popcorn with extra butter and salt. Kids loved him and he loved feeding people. Most of all, he loved his family.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Thomas (Jade) Kracht of Luverne, Katie Kracht of Kenneth, Minnesota, and Kaden Kracht of Luverne; grandson, Jasper, and another grandson on the way; significant other, Allison Lupkes; siblings, Trudy (Brad) Beyenhof of Rock Rapids, Kevin (Theresa) Kracht of Fortine, Montana, Jolene (Doug) Van Surksum of Hull, Iowa, Mert (Bobbi) Kracht of Luverne, and Larry “Bug” (Bobbie) Kracht of Magnolia, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; in-laws, Melvin and Carolyn Kruger; and close family friends, Dwayne Christensen, David Kruger, and Jared Kremin.
“This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you later.”
