John Frederick Kraeger

John Frederick Kraeger, 97, of Chicago, died peacefully on Oct. 5, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha and son Patrick, and his parents John and Elenor. John treasured his family and was adored by his children: Peter (Bobbin Beam), Susan Kapche (Jim), Joan Jones (the late Kevin), Mary Getty (James), Pat and Barb Hailey (Allen). Cherished grandpa of Michelle Kraeger Pope and Katy Kraeger, Nick, Patrick and Genevieve Kapche (Hugo Maurin), Travis, Allison (Stephen Gwinn), Collin (Karolina) and Nolan Jones, Kyle (Kristina) and Neil (Emma) Getty, and Everett and Henry Hailey; proud great-grandpa of Julia, Maddy, Lucile, Weston and two babies to be born in 2023! Fond “outlaw” to many relatives through marriage. John was born October 22, 1924, in Cincinnati, Ohio to John and Elenor Kraeger. His family moved to the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago when he was a toddler. He graduated from Kilmer Elementary and Sullivan High School (class of 1942). In high school, John worked at several neighborhood soda fountains that fostered his lifelong interest in dairy tech. Following high school graduation, John was drafted into World War II. After basic training and gunnery school, he was stationed at Attlebridge Air Force Base in England where he was a turret ball gunner on the B-24 Liberator, Glad TA SEE YA. He flew 36 missions, his first being D-Day, providing air support. In 2014, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, John received the Legion of Honor Medal from the French government for his service on D-Day. After the war, he attended the University of Illinois where he met the love of his life Martha Gassmann. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in dairy sciences and worked in the dairy industry until retirement. He was a trusted and beloved neighbor, an avid listener, a person who enthusiastically expressed pride in the accomplishments of others, and who never complained. He loved the large extended family he married into, and the feeling was mutual. He was a devoted member of St. Ita’s parish and enjoyed supporting neighborhood organizations (because it allowed him to spend time with his wife!), including Lakewood Balmoral Residents Council, Edgewater Historical Society, and Care for Real. In 1993, the Edgewater Community Council recognized Martha and John’s commitment to the community with its “Spirit of Edgewater” Award. John truly personified “The Greatest Generation.” Visitation Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western, Chicago: Info 773-561-6874. Funeral Mass will be livestreamd from this link beginning at 10:30 a.m. from St. Ita's Church, 1220 W. Catalpa, Chicago on Friday, Dec. 9: https://vimeo.com/event/2690300 . In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s name to the Edgewater Historical Society, 5358 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL (www.edgewaterhistory.org); Friends of Sullivan High School (https://friendsofsullivan.org/) or Imperial War Museum Duxford (https://www.iwm.org.uk/support-us/donations). Internment will be in the spring at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.