Dr. Jeffrey G “Jake” Kraft

Dr. Jeffrey G “Jake” Kraft passed away in Libby, Montana from glioblastoma on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at age 71. 

He was born Nov. 13, 1954, in Kirksville, Missouri. He had a huge personality and many, many talents. His best attribute was that he knew his gifts came from the grace of God. Ever since the early 1980s, severe chronic pain from neck and back injuries caused him great spiritual and earthly struggles which, wonderfully, always brought him back to his Lord and Savior.

He loved all animals, especially dogs, and says he probably should have been a veterinarian except that at a very young age of 7, he was inspired by the Dr. Kildare TV show and set a goal to help people. He earned his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (at Still University) in 1980 and favored practicing Emergency Medicine.

Dr. Kraft was a very good listener and was caring and compassionate towards his patients. Both patients and nurses loved his hands-on approach. His resolve was to go into a room with a blank slate and have no assumptions or foregone conclusions based on patient history or typical diagnosis of symptoms but to first take time and really listen to the patient. Specialists called upon his superior skills of inserting infant central lines and forceps deliveries.

His medical career encompassed a wide variety of jobs and certifications; general practice, family practice, ER, surgery, geriatrics, county coroner, oral examiner for board certifications, and in many locations: Joplin, Springfield and Sedalia, Missouri; Wichita, Kansas; Brookhaven, Mississippi; Great Falls, Anaconda and Havre, Montana; and including several medical mission trips in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Trout fishing was his favorite pastime along with no rules golfing. He liked downhill skiing, scuba diving and generally just being outdoors and acting like a cowboy, but he also enjoyed tinkering in his shop disassembling and reassembling anything mechanical or electrical. 

He believed that our choices determine our circumstances and therefore promoted and exuded independent thinking, stressing the need to challenge statements and ideas to determine the true facts and not just go with the status quo. He was a stickler for using proper English grammar yet could twist it and make fun of it until you hurt from laughing. 

He was a very funny man who was also so intelligent that you would learn something from him every time he spoke or else you weren’t listening. He could speak French and Spanish, read Greek, play guitar, banjo, harmonica and had a beautiful baritone singing voice. Just an incredible man who will be missed and who we can’t wait to meet up with again in Heaven.

He is survived by two sons: Adam Kraft (Michelle) and Zachary Kraft (McKenzie); three daughters: Dana Kraft Wyrick, Lisel Spinelli (Jeff), and Alexandra Heidebrecht (Aaron); 10 grandchildren and two sisters: Coni Swanson (Doug), and Cathi Newton (Bugs). 

He was preceded in death by his parents: John Frank Kraft Jr. and Nelleta Pearl (Coffman) Pillers; and one older brother Douglas Kraft.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Chariton Ridge Baptist Church, Atlanta, Missouri, 63530. Burial will be at the Old Chariton Cemetery about 3 miles south of the church.

He requests any memorials be made as donations to the Christian mission called Las Palmas de Mamre that serves the people living in the remote jungles along the Costa Rican/Nicaraguan border. Make checks to Ana Moshenek (with words “CR Mission” on notation line), send to Ana Moshenek, c/o Crystal Boyer, 14274 S. James Madison Hwy, Dillwyn, VA 23936. 

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg and Riddle Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schanckenbergfh.com.