Obituary of Barbara Kraus Kjelland

 Barbara Kraus Kjelland, 84, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.  She was born in Fargo, ND on May 13, 1938 to the late Alloys and Helen Anderson Kraus.  While living in North Dakota she took part in many volunteer activities for the Spirit Lake Tribe of the Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation.  Through her dedicated service to that community she was honored with a Native American name (Kompeska-Win) and several articles of ceremonial clothing and jewelry.  On moving to Kentucky she was a stay-at-home mother for many years but later served several years as a Deputy Jailer for Versailles and was a youth counselor for the Kentucky Methodist Children’s Home at the Versailles campus for 25 years.  In 2007 she received special recognition for her many years of service with the Children’s Home.   Her love and dedication for the boys at the Children’s Home was evident by how many remained in touch over the years.  She attended Versailles Baptist Church.  Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family, and she loved supporting her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren at their different sporting events and school events. She enjoyed watching sports, especially football and golf, and UK teams. Barbara was a great listener always very encouraging.  She was avid reader and talented seamstress and knitter.

She is survived by her son, Robert (Kim) Kjelland, Versailles; her daughters, Lynda (Ron) Giles, Lexington, and Sandi (Frank) Wilson, OH; her sister, Beverly (Ray) Horne, ND; her grandchildren, Nicole (Stephen) Martin, Brittany (Jason DeBold) Phelps, Lauren Wilson, Nathaniel Wilson, and Samuel Wilson; and her great grandchildren, Elijah, Kate, Kylie, John, and Ella.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Versailles Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Serving as casketbearers will be Nathaniel Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Elijah Martin, John Phelps, Jason DeBold, Stephen Martin. Visitation will be held from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Clark Legacy Center, Versailles Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Versailles Baptist Church.