July 13, 1945 – May 29, 2024
The funeral service for Nila Chloe Kraft, 78, of McLaughlin was held June 5, 2024, at the United Church of Christ in McLaughlin. Burial was at the UCC Cemetery in McLaughlin under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Nila passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Monument Healthcare in Rapid City.
Nila Chloe Brockel was born on July 13, 1945, to Rueben and Viola (Eberhart) Brockel.
Growing up she was involved in 4-H where she showed horses and enjoyed reining and cutting.
Nila graduated from McLaughlin Public School in 1962. She went to Rapid City to the National School of Business and graduated in 1963.
In January 1965, Nila started working at Concrete Elevator/Farmer’s Coop Association in McLaughlin.
Nila married Casper S. Kraft on March 28, 1967.
In 1993, Nila worked for Farmer’s Union Oil for about 6-8 months and then for the McLaughlin Public School as a helper in the kitchen and a janitor for 17 1/2 years. She worked for four years at the Little Eagle Grant School, then retired to take care of Casper as his health was failing.
Nila was the treasurer for Lincoln Township until it was dissolved.
Work was always a first for Nila, but when time allowed, she enjoyed fishing, shooting prairie dogs, car races, rodeos, basketball, volleyball and football games with her family. She also enjoyed watching her parents’ horses race on the track.
Those she leaves behind are her daughters, Carmen (Karson) Kostelecky of Sidney, MT, and Kim (Cody) Eaton of Dupree; grandkids: Sierra, Roper and Cedar Eaton and Gunner Kostelecky; sisters-in-law Betty Miller, Kathy (Claude) Kissack, Bev (Al) Prom, Annette (Harvey) Hogan, Gloria (Tracy) West; brothers- in-law Ken (Becky) Kraft, Donny (Emmy) Kraft, Danny Kraft and Kevin Kraft; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Nila is preceded in death by her husband, Casper S. Kraft; her parents, Rueben and Viola Brockel; in-laws, Florian and Rose Kraft; sister Betty Opp; sister-in-law, Mary Luger; brother-in-law Roger Opp; nephew Stuart Opp and her dog, Babe.
The family appreciates the help of Lorrin Lafferty, Jim and Jody Miller, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Police Department and Ambulance, Corson County Sheriff ’s Office and Ambulance, Eagle Butte IHS Emergency Room Staff, Life Flight Crew and Monument Health Staff.