Leatrice (Lee) Hanan Kraft

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and new great grandmother passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 3 surrounded by loving family after valiantly battling cancer, heart and lung problems for the past 32 years. She was born May 4, 1929 to Morris and Matilda Hanan, and attended Horace Mann Elementary, Garfield High School and the University of Washington. In 1948 she married Dr. Harry J. Kraft who she said “kept me laughing” for the 64 years of their marriage. They moved to Mercer Island where they raised their family and lived until 2011 when they moved to Bellevue’s Belletini. She was active in raising money to build the current Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island, and was involved in the National Council of Jewish Women, Temple de Hirsch Sinai and conducted oral interviews for the Washington State Jewish Historical Society. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Harry Kraft; daughter Elaine (Jeff Bean) of Seattle; sons Robert (Lori) of Bellevue and Richard (Debra Corner) of Lynnwood; grandchildren Paul Somerstein (Karly) Seattle; Leslie Somerstein, Seattle; Rachel Kraft, Tucson, AZ., Aaron Kraft , Bellevue and Brionna Kraft, Los Angeles, CA; great grandson Adam Somerstein; beloved nieces Joanne Sandler (Michael) Mercer Island; Marcia Friedman (Ed Weinstein) Seattle and Margaret Pearl (Tad) Seattle; nephews Morris Hanan (Patti) Sammamish and Tom Hanan (Marci) Mercer Island. She also had two “bonus” grandchildren, Ahmad Corner, Seattle, and Shoshana Bean, Valley Village, CA. She is preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Matilda Hanan and her sister Julia Friedman (Edwin) and brother Albert Hanan (Maryl). At the family request, there will be a private burial followed by a celebration of her life for friends and family. Remembrances may be made in her name to the Kline Galland Home, 7500 Seward Park Ave. South, Seattle WA 98118.