Ruth A. "Rucie" (Grigsby) Kraus, 86, of Hanover, York County, formerly of Butler and of Westminster, Md., passed peacefully Tuesday at her home.

She was the wife of John C. "Big Dude" Kraus, her husband of 63 years.

Born Feb. 26, 1924, in Pittsburgh, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth R. and Martha A.(Mathies) Grigsby.

Mrs. Kraus was a graduate of Indiana (Pa.) State Teachers College and was a kindergarten teacher in the Southwest Butler School District, now Seneca Valley, for 23 years.

She was a member of the BPW, the Business and Professional Women's group in both Westminster and Butler. Ruth also was a member of the Ladies of the Elk's, Westminster, Md., and the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 37, of the Butler area.

She loved the community theater and performed in a number of shows at the Butler Little Theatre.

Her favorite hobby was making candy for her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Ruth is survived by four children, Kimberly J. Millwood of Hanover, Cynthia R. Blum of Hanover, Gretchen G. Walters of Hellertown, Northampton County, and John G. Kraus of Philadelphia; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Erik P. Kraus in 1972.

<B>KRAUS</B> — The service for Ruth A. "Rucie" (Grigsby) Kraus, who died Tuesday, May 26, 2010, will be private.Contributions, in Ruth's memory, may be made to the charity of one's choice.Arrangements are under the direction of the <B>Wetzel Funeral Home</B>, Hanover, and to share memories of Ruth "Rucie" Kraus, please visit www.wetzelfuneralhome.com.