November 28, 1940 - October 12, 2024
Johnye Lou (Miller) Kraft, born in Claude, Texas on November 28, 1940, the only child to John and Melva Miller, passed away peacefully in Spokane on Saturday morning, October 12, three months and one day after her beloved husband, George Kraft, preceded her in death on July 11. Johnye was 83.
Raised by her parents in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, with her extended family nearby in the town of Claude, Johnye graduated from Palo Duro High School in 1958, then attended West Texas State College on an art scholarship. After her time in college, Johnye made her way north with her two young sons, her mother and father going with them, all of them leaving Texas behind. They eventually settled in Spokane, Washington. Attending a church social, she met George Kraft, beginning a loving relationship and marriage that would last 55 years. They were married on July 11th, 1970, in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. George then adopted her sons, Del Scott and Jody Lee, rounding out their family in 1971 with the birth of their daughter, Carrie Lynn.
Beginning in the late 1970s and lasting over 30 years, Johnye and George owned and operated Herb Village on Monroe Street in Spokane. Gifted and well-informed on the properties and benefits of herbal medicine, they ran a successful store, making a positive impact on generations of Spokanites. Johnye prided herself as an entrepreneur and businesswoman, staying active and involved in the day-to-day at the store while at the same time raising her family. Herb Village closed in 2009, Johnye and George moving to Memphis, Tennessee to be near family. While there, they ran a storage unit business for multiple years before fully retiring and returning to the Pacific Northwest in 2018.
Above all else, Johnye treasured time with family and friends. She loved family vacations to Priest Lake, Idaho, where everyone enjoyed waterskiing, boating, and camping. Later in life, her greatest joys were visits from her children, grandchildren and friends. She also valued the callings she had at church, serving in various capacities including Relief Society President and also Young Women’s President. Johnye had a gentle West Texas twang and a great sense of humor. She was tall and beautiful and captivating, a woman who drew your attention and held it with humble charm and wit. She will be missed.
Johnye is survived by her son, Del (Tracy) Kraft; daughter, Carrie (Damon) Murphy; daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Kraft; 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Johnye was preceded in death by her loving husband, George Kraft; her son Jody Lee Kraft; her son-in-law, Brad King; and her parents, John and Melva Miller. To plant trees in her memory, please visit www.alivingtribute.org.
Johnye’s funeral was held Friday, October 18th. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, in Spokane’s Riverside Memorial Park.
コメント