BLACK HAWK,--Eugene Kraft (84) of Black Hawk, South Dakota (formerly of Mobridge), died September 11, 2009 at the Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City. He was born to Jacob and Elizabeth (Reis) Kraft on April 10, 1925, in Strasburg, North Dakota and moved with his family to Glencross, South Dakota the following year. Gene grew up and worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1945. He served aboard the USS Mocking Bird, a mine sweeper in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1947. For several years, Gene farmed and worked odd jobs. He did mechanic work, built homes in Bismarck with his brother, Tony, and spent a winter working in California. Gene married Marcella Imberi, June 4th, 1956. Together they raised their six children in Mobridge, South Dakota. As a long-time carpenter there, he was known for his work ethic and unshakable honesty. He also owned and operated Kraft Millwork west of town. He moved to Rapid City with Marcella, John, and Bob in 1979. Genes life was defined by his commitment to his loving family and his faith and involvement in the Catholic Church. He was commonly appreciated for his kindness to others, his compassion for those less fortunate, and his remarkable gift for befriending children. He loved being around his own kids and grandkids and was remembered by them as one who always had time. He is survived by his wife, Marcella, Black Hawk; four sons, Allan (Patty), Tom (Yvonne), John, and Bob (Rene), all of Black Hawk, S.D.; two daughters, Anna Schneider (Allan), Emmett, Idaho, and Ellie Barnett, Bowling Green, Ohio; five brothers, Eddie, Herman, Jack, and Fred, all of Timber Lake, S.D. and David, Wisconsin; four sisters, Helen Bracken and Marie (Klein), Rapid City, Idora (Wortman),Wyoming and Edie (Scherr), Michigan. He is also survived by many grand- and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters, two infant sons and two infant daughters. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m., with a Christian wake service at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, at Our Lady of the Black Hills Catholic Church in Piedmont. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Our Lady of the Black Hills with Rev. Michel Mulloy presiding. Gene will be buried in the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the SD Army National Guard. The family suggests memorials be sent to Hospice of the Hills, 224 Elk Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701. Services are under the direction of Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City.