<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div class="">Robert,</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">I am so sorry for your loss but I am so glad that things ended when you had recently had some special time together and you can have a little more peace over this. There are no words I could ever say that could possibly assuage what you are feeling now. Just know that how much it hurts is the balancing of the scales in a very short time of the joy they brought to you throughout your life. Every time it hurts think of that. My thoughts are with you in the coming days.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Daniel</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class=""><br class=""></div><br class=""><div><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class="">On Jan 26, 2015, at 11:27 AM, Wes Benedict <<a href="mailto:wes.benedict@lp.org" class="">wes.benedict@lp.org</a>> wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: none; display: inline !important;" class="">Robert Kraus's mother passed away yesterday morning. Below is a note Robert sent to some of his friends which I'm forwarding with permission.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><div class="moz-forward-container" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br class=""><div class="moz-signature">Wes Benedict, Executive Director<br class=""><small class=""><small class="">Libertarian National Committee, Inc.<br class=""><b class="">New address: 1444 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314</b><br class="">(202) 333-0008 ext. 232,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:wes.benedict@lp.org" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;">wes.benedict@lp.org</a><br class=""><a href="http://facebook.com/libertarians" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;" class="">facebook.com/libertarians</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>@LPNational<br class="">Join the Libertarian Party at:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://lp.org/membership" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;">http://lp.org/membership</a></small></small><br class=""></div><br class=""><br class=""><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode" class=""><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State" class=""><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City" class=""><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" class=""><div class="Section1" style="page: Section1;"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">Dear Friends,<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">I am very sad to tell you about the passing of my Mom (Leona Kraus) this am. Despite some health issues of late which she managed well, it was sudden and unexpected but she at least went peacefully in her sleep and did not suffer. My Dad went to check on her and wake her up shortly before my brother (Larry) and I showed up for lunch today and she was already gone.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">My Mom was the kind of person who made friends with anyone willing to lend her an ear. She was non judgmental and loved chocolate, especially truffles, which I always gave her sometimes for no occasion at all. She may have had little appetite of late for food but always made room for dessert! Anything chocolate would do. Did I mentioned she really loved chocolate?<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">I am so glad she got the chance to know Larissa (who always looked forward to visiting on Sundays) and that Mom and Dad had such a great cruise together returning just a week ago. Larissa and I were very happy we could meet them for lunch in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on" class=""><st1:place w:st="on" class="">St. Thomas</st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>since both our cruises were there at the same time.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">Finally she put up with all the Kraus men in her life with little complaint…. OK we are a hand full (and a little nutty) so perhaps she complained a tiny bit but always managed to have good humor about it.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">For those who are interested in the arrangements here are the details:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">A short family funeral will be at 10 am Fri 01/30 at Anshe Emet Synagogue 3751 N Broadway,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on" class=""><st1:city w:st="on" class="">Chicago</st1:city>,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state w:st="on" class="">Il</st1:state><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:postalcode w:st="on" class="">60613</st1:postalcode></st1:place><o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">Shiva is Sat 6pm at Suzanne Glink, 25 E Superior St Apt 3502,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on" class=""><st1:place w:st="on" class="">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>, IL 60611<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">I am really going to miss Mom’s genuinely happy disposition, when she would give an eye roll to my Dad when he tells a bad joke or acts upset for some crazy reason, and of course not being able to give her chocolates for valentines (would it be OK for me to leave some in her coffin – shhh don’t tell the Rabbi – I don’t think that’s Kosher).<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">I am thinking of having a little memorial party with chocolate desserts at my house in honor of Mom in the next couple months and will send out information then.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">Thanks for all your thoughts!<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">Robert<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class=""> </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';" class=""><font color="navy" face="Verdana" size="2" class=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: navy;" class="">PS – In place of flowers a gift to the Little Theatre of Alexandria VA would be appreciated. She loved all the shows there (especially the ones I was in or produced)!<o:p class=""></o:p></span></font></div></div></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype><br class=""></div><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: none; display: inline !important;" class="">_______________________________________________</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: none; display: inline !important;" class="">Lnc-business mailing list</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><a href="mailto:Lnc-business@hq.lp.org" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="">Lnc-business@hq.lp.org</a><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""><a href="http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="">http://hq.lp.org/mailman/listinfo/lnc-business_hq.lp.org</a><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=""></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></body></html>