Jan Kraska

Wellsville, NY - Jan Kraska, age 95, of 161 Maple Ave. passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. He was born on April 22, 1917 in Debnica, Poland to Albert and Ludwika Sobak Kraska. On April 8, 1950 in Germany he married Freida Kramer who predeceased him.

Jan was born and raised in Poland and at beginning of WWII he spent 3 years in a Nazi forced labor camp. After the war until 1947 he was a guard with the occupation forces and later worked in a brewery in Germany. In 1956 he and Freida immigrated to the United States where they settled in Wellsville. Jan worked at CE Air Preheater in Wellsville from where he retired in 1982. Jan was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Church where he was an usher. He was also a member of the Olean Assembly 4th degree Knights of Columbus, Pulaski Club of Olean, Moose Lodge of Wellsville, 50 year member of the Emerald Hook and Ladder of Wellsville and the St Vincent DePaul Society of Buffalo. Jan had been an associated member of both the V F &W and the American Legion in Wellsville and enjoyed dancing and playing euchre.

Survivors include: a daughter, Christal L. Kraska; a son Jan T. Kraska; a sister Julia Turek of Poland; several nieces and nephews including his niece Maria Cholewicka; a long time friend and companion Susie Allen of Wellsville. Jan had been predeceased by a brother and 2 sisters.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday, March 17, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. On Monday friends are invited to attend a prayer service in the funeral home at 10:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church. Father Thomas Roman will be the celebrant and burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials in Jan's name may be made the Immaculate Conception Church. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com