Elmer Jacob Kraft, 73, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013, surrounded by his family, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. 

Elmer was born on July 4, 1939, in Belfry, Mont., to Emanuel and Olga Kraft. He was the oldest of four boys. He had a close relationship with his brothers all of his life. His youngest brother, Larry was killed in a car accident when he was 13 years old. Elmer never got over that and missed him dearly. Elmer passed away on Larry's birthday.

Elmer married the love of his life, Beverly Simons, in 1957. Together they had three children, Sheryl, Greg and Jeff. They celebrated their 56th anniversary in April.

Elmer was retired from a number of occupations. He worked for years in the title agency field, both in Billings and in Polson. He was the ultimate entrepreneur. He owned the Hinky Dinky in Bozeman, Lake Mary Ronan Resort, built golf clubs, performed hypnotherapy and mastered many, many other things. 

Elmer loved his hobbies. His latest were oil painting and gold mining.  He blessed his family and friends with his paintings and he was in the process of introducing more of his family to the Libby Creek panning area. Last summer was the most enjoyable time in his life.

“Words cannot express the sadness we feel right now, but we know there was a big birthday party for Larry in heaven when Elmer got there and as his 6-year-old great-grandson, Keaton said, ‘Granddad is OK because there is way more gold in heaven than he would have ever found in Libby Creek.’”

Elmer is survived by his loving wife, Beverly; his daughter and son-in-law, Sheryl and Tim Rickard, of Sandpoint, Idaho; and son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Brenda Kraft, of Polson. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant everything to him and they will miss him greatly. His grandchildren are Tiffany and James Simpach, Dandee and Nate Ricciardi, Carly, Tucker and Molly Rickard, Nicole Gilpatrick, and Casey, Zach and Tyson Kraft. His great-grandchildren are Kimberly, Keaton and Kendall Simpach. Also surviving Elmer are his brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Peg Kraft, of Billings; his brother, Dan Kraft, of Billings, his dear friends, Ron Edmonds of Philipsburg, Gordon "Skip" Chapman of Priest Lake, Idaho, and Mike Mullowney of Absarokee; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services for Elmer will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Viewing will be on from noon to 7 p.m. today, June 26, also at the funeral home.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Elmer’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Elmer’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.