Thomas "Tommy" Benedict Kraus, of Marshfield, on January 18th, accepted the invitation of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to join Him, along with his parents and siblings, in the Kingdom of his Holy Father. Due to Covid 19, a Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Rozellville, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 am until service time. Rev. Sengole Vethanayagam will officiate. The family requests that mask wearing and social distancing are observed. Burial will be in the parish cemetery where military rites will be conducted. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family. Tom was born to Ludvig (Louis Sr) and Agnes (Gemskie) Kraus at their home in Rozellville, WI, on March 7th, 1936. He attended St Andrew's school in Rozellville, as well as Marshfield Public Schools. He married Margaret Vandehey, daughter of Leonard (Skid) and Ione Vandehey, at St Mary's Church in Auburndale, WI on July 27, 1957. Together they had 9 children, 24 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He entered the United States Air Force as an 18 year old in 1954. He was trained as an Airborne Early Warning Radar Technician. While Stationed at Otis AFB MA, he caught the eye of the base team's baseball coach. He quickly was put on "Gym Duty" and was a full time member of the team. His talents drew attention Air Force wide and he was temporarily assigned to the Andrews AFB team to represent them in the "World Wide Tournament." Upon his return to Otis, he was playing in what was then the best amateur baseball league in the country, "The Cape Cod League." There he was scouted heavily and signed a professional contract with the Boston Red Sox. He played in both the Red Sox and Washington Senators Organizations for the next 4 years until arm problems caused his release. In 1961, Tom was named the Most Valuable Player in the 1961 National Baseball Congress' Wisconsin State Tournament. He played for and coached many teams over a span of the next 4 decades. Through the 80's and 90's he was an "Associate Scout" for the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1982 he was the founder of the "Marshfield Area Baseball Team" which became the Marshfield Chaparrals the following year. He has been inducted in both the "Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame", and the "Marshfield Area Baseball and Softball Hall of Fame". In 1979, Tom enlisted back into Military Service, joining the United States Naval Reserve, as a construction battalion electrician from which he retired in 1996. Tom is a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, The National Association of Professional Ball Players, Navy Retired Fleet Reserve, Knights of Columbus, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Marshfield Eagles Club. He is survived by his wife, sons Timothy (Kelly), Thomas (Cheryl) and Steven, along with his daughters Lori (Ed) Lake, Kathi Hartle, Kerri (Jeff) Weister, Lisa (Lawrence) Ortner, and Melissa (Jamie) Matthews. He is further survived by siblings, Agnes Rehlinger, Jerry (Jean) Kraus, Marilyn (Richard) Wagner and Ken (Mary) Kraus. He was preceded in death by his infant son, James Patrick, 3 grandchildren, parents, brothers Edward, Charles, Leroy, Louis Jr (Uncle Moose), and James. And by his sisters, Lorraine Mancl, Margie Oertel, Laverne Fahey, Marion Jakubowski, Anita Pokallus and Virginia Stauber. Tom so loved his wife and family. He said his happiest times were when everyone could get together for things such as ball games (of course), weddings and reunions. It made him very happy to see his children and grandchildren succeed in life. In lieu of gifts and flowers, Tom requests that you make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, National Honor Flight, or Companion Day Services. The family would like to thank the staff at 3 Oaks Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for their outstanding care for Tom. "GO 19!" and "Play Ball #2!"