Harold C. Kraskey

Harold Carl Kraskey, 83, of Winona, Minnesota, passed away surrounded by the love of his family and friends on Sunday, September 27, 2026. He was born on January 4, 1943, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Sarah Eastman and Louie Kraskey.

Harold held many different jobs throughout his career to raise money for his family. He worked at a carnival, sold Kirby vacuum cleaners, serviced water tanks for Culligan, built houses with his brother, John, and did furnace assembly. His longest position was from February 1968 to August 1997 with the Mintac Taconite Plant in Mt. Iron, MN, as a Plant Mil-right, where he built a long career and many friends. After he retired from Mintac, he drove school bus for the Chisholm and Alborn school districts in Minnesota, and he did many home repair projects for himself, Joan, and several of his children and grandchildren – the experience and knowledge he taught them they will share and carry forward.

Outside of work, Harold was always up for a good game of cards - his favorite card game was cribbage which he taught most of his children and several of his grandchildren throughout the years. He really enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his children, grandchildren, other family members and friends. He was known for his great sense of humor, unforgettable laugh, strong and larger-than-life personality, and genuine love for his family and friends. Harold had a way of making people laugh and filling a room with his presence. His stories, laughter, and personality will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Family was the most important thing to Harold! Even to the end, he thought about his family and making sure they were OK. He was very proud of all the accomplishments that each of his children and grandchildren have done throughout their lives and enjoyed sharing them with others!

Harold was a member of the Moose Lodge in Virginia, MN, the Local 1938 USWA Steelworkers Union in Minnesota, and of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Winona.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah Judge and Louie Kraskey; his first wife, Jean Stoddard; his siblings Robert (Jean) Wieghant, Betty (Bob) Larson, George (Audri) Cruickshank, Archie (Pat) Cruickshank, Rev. Tom Cruickshank, Sarah (Bill) Boucher, and John Kraskey, his brother-in-law Richard Golfis; and his great-grandson Hunter Feltus.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Smith; his children, Cheryl (Charles) Fosness, Christopher (Laura), Daniel (Paula), Andrew (Lynette), Sandra (Scott) Lutz, Teresah (Randy Feltus), Shawn (Jenn Corey), Sabrina (Brian) Clepper, Cheryl (Lorin) Thilmany, Gene (Donna) Smith; 27 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; his sister, Eunice Golfis; his brother, Roger; sister-in-laws Marylin Cruikshank and Carolyn Kraskey; brother-in-laws Norman Stellick, Jerry (Lynn) Stellick; great friends OJ (Janice) Jacobson and Steve (Marion) Erickson; plus many extended family members and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Harold’s memory will live on through the many lives he touched and the stories that will continue to be told.

Visitation will be held at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 766 W. Wabasha St., Winona, on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 11 AM until the funeral service at noon. Pastor Austin Claflin will officiate. Burial will be held privately at a later date.

He chose as his honorary pallbearers: Charles Fosness, Tony Kraskey, Kat Kraskey, Noah Kraskey, Brandon Kraskey, Corey Feltus, Tatiana Reyes, Garrett Simon, Zach Smith, and Ryan Smith

Online condolences or memories may be left for Harold’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

In lieu of flowers, Harold asked that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his memory.