Elden M. Kraft, 83, died August 31, 2011 at Great Bend Regional Hospital, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born January 13, 1928 at rural Hodgeman County, Kansas, the son of Carl and Matilda (Popp) Kraft. He married Laura Fairbank January 1, 1949 at Bazine, Kansas. A Great Bend resident since 1954, coming from Dodge City, Kansas, he was a supervisor for Centel Electric, Great Bend, until his retirement. Mr. Kraft was a veteran of the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. Mr. Kraft was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, American Legion Argonne Post 180, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 180, all of Great Bend. Survivors include his wife, Laura Kraft, of the home; one son, Marlin Kraft, Germantown, Maryland; two daughters: Marlane Haberman and husband Marvin, Great Bend; and Lavada Kraft, Great Bend; one sister, Earlene Knox, Clifton, Kansas; one brother: Leo Kraft, Chillicothe, Missouri; four grandchildren: Marcie Mattson, Brian Haberman, Angie Cook, and Liberty Dictson; and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence Kraft and Leonard Kraft. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at St. Mark Lutheran Church with Pastor Adam Wutka officiating. Burial with military rites by the United States Navy Honor Guard will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 5, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to St. Mark Lutheran Church, in care of the funeral home.