September 13, 1924 - July 11, 2016
KRAFT, - Leland F. Leland "Lee" Kraft of Spokane, WA passed away on July 11, 2016 at the age of 91. Lee was cared for by the compassionate staff at Riverview Terrace and Horizon Hospice during his final days. - Lee was born on a farm in Russell County, Kansas on September 13, 1924, the son of Edward and Esther (Becker) Kraft, both of Volga German lineage. Lee was one of five children: twin sister Lela, sister Emma Lee, and brothers Vernon and Orville. In 1937, after eight years of dust bowl depression experience, the family relocated to Wichita, Kansas where Lee finished his secondary education at East High School. He subsequently attended Wichita State University where he earned a BA degree in political science. - He served a hitch in the Marines during WW II, serving 27 months overseas as a combat Marine in the 3rd Marine Division, participating in combat operations on Guam and Iwo Jima where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. Lee was recalled to military service during the Korean War and served on active duty at the Pentagon for three years. After this service, he did graduate work at the University of Kansas in public administration and subsequently served as a city manager in Illinois, Arizona, and Washington. He was the city manager of Walla Walla, Ellensburg, and Pasco in the State of Washington and retired in 1984. - Lee married Ramona Reeves of Wichita, KS on June 20, 1948. They had two children; a daughter Vickie and a son Curtis. After retirement, Lee and Ramona lived in Pasco, WA; Salem, OR, and Spokane, WA. They lived at the Harbor Crest Retirement Community in South Spokane until Ramona passed away in 2012. Lee's survivors include his daughter Vickie; son Curtis; grandchildren Spencer, John, Kyle, and Katie; and great-grandchildren Gianna and Sebastian. Lee will be laid to rest alongside Ramona at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake.
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