Donald J. Kraus Obituary (2022)

Our beloved Donald Joseph Kraus, 58, died peacefully on January 22, 2022. He was born on December 6, 1963 to Margaret and the late Alfred Kraus. Despite being born with Down Syndrome, Donald demonstrated many gifts. He had a great capacity for remembering names. At family gatherings, Donnie would always greet you with a smile and address you by name as he shook your hand. As society began to better understand people with Down Syndrome, the number of opportunities increased. Donald participated in many activities, including his wonderful bowling league, swimming, basketball, ping pong, and he earned many medals from competing in Special Olympics Illinois. Donald had a ready laugh, and a lively sense of humor, and he loved to dance. For more than 3 decades, Donald was cared for by Clearbrook, which provided Donald with many opportunities to learn, work, and play, and helped him reach his potential. He loved his group home, and the friends and staff with whom he shared the home. He most recently lived at The Clearbrook Commons and was able to spend time with his group home friends who lived there also. Donald is survived by his mother, Margaret Schwarz Kraus of Waukegan, IL, sister Melissa Kraus Warthen and husband Bruce of Holland, MI, brother Thomas Alfred Kraus and wife Caryn of Lantana, FL, nephew, Mike, of Ionia, MI, niece Heidi Vaquez and husband Kevin of Boynton Beach, FL, uncle Quentin Schwarz and wife Becky of Waukegan, IL, uncle and aunt David and Kathryn Schwarz of Scottsdale, AZ, and many other family and friends. Donald is predeceased by his father, Alfred R Kraus, maternal grandparents Joseph and Adelaide Schwarz, paternal grandparents Adolf and Meta Kraus, and his uncle Joseph Ball Schwarz of Cary, NC. We are so very grateful for all the wonderful people of Clearbrook who have provided love, care, and opportunity for Donald, especially Iris, Freddy, Tasha, and Laura. We are also very grateful for the end-of-life care he received from his nurse, Amy, and the Apex Hospice team. In lieu of flowers, and to continue the legacy of caring for those friends Donald leaves behind, please consider a donation to Clearbrook, https://www.clearbrook.org/donate/ , 1835 West Central Road, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.