Francis Irene (Fran) Kraus
May 7, 1941 - February 14, 2023

Associate Member RCMP Vets Kingston
Spouse of Kingstoin Vet. Bob Kraus

Recepient of the RCMP Second Man Award

Fran, our compassionate, kindhearted, loving, wife, mother, grandmother,
sister, and loyal friend to many, passed away in Kingston, Ontario on February
14, 2023. She was predeceased by her parents, Herb and Alice (Gustin) Beagle
of Vittoria, Ontario and her older brother Ray Beagle of Brantford, Ontario. She
leaves behind her loving husband, Bob; brothers Brian and Kevin; daughter
Tracey (Lougheed) and sons, Trevor and Troy. Fran was very proud of her five
grandchildren: Alexandra, Clayton, Andrew, Amelia and Evalea.

Fran grew up in Vittoria, Ontario. She became a teacher starting her career in
Waterford, Ontario moving in 1965 to Nanaimo, British Columbia to continue her
profession. It was in Nanaimo where she met her husband to be, Bob, an RCMP
officer who had been serving in the north and was then posted there. They were
married in 1967. Their love, respect and commitment to each other lasted for
over 56 years. Their life together in the RCMP brought many moves within British
Columbia through the 1970s. She kept her young family active by participating in
bowling, music band booster clubs, guides and numerous family camping trips.
In 1980 the family moved to Ottawa, where a whole new adventure began, which
saw Fran continue as an active volunteer while being a mom to three growing
teenagers. A final RCMP move took Fran and Bob to Winnipeg.

Upon Bob's retirement from the RCMP in 1995, the two chose Kingston where
they settled in to enjoy their retirement journey. It is here where Fran's love of life,
unwavering commitment to family and community, energy, compassion and
smile led her to volunteer with many organizations, culminating with over 15
years as President of the Interesting Years Club and Newcomers/Alumni Club.
Fran was a social butterfly who was driven to put her whole heart into all she
pursued and accomplished. She was always recognized as an exceptional
volunteer. The RCMP acknowledged her unwavering duty with the Second Man
Award for her unpaid service to the Police Force in the 1960s and 1970s during
many of Bob's postings.

Some of Fran's most rewarding moments were spent with her many dearest
friends, but more importantly, with her husband, Bob, her children, and with her
grandchildren. She traveled from coast to coast in Canada and in retirement,
there were many bus trips on theatre outings to Stratford, trips to the United
States, a cruise to Alaska and a river cruise in Europe. Her most memorable trips
were to visit BC with family and a recent trip last year back home to Vittoria with a
walk down memory lane.
Fran dedicated her life to family, her friends and her community, as those
experiences provided her with the inspiration to keep going, even through
difficult times. Her parting wish was simple. A profound ask that we all 'Be
Happy'.

In memory of Fran, donations may be made to a charity of choice dealing with
cancer. Private family services will be held at later dates in Ottawa, Ontario at the
Beechwood Cemetery and at the Walsh United Cemetery near Vittoria, Ontario