Harold Kraettli Obituary

Jack Kraettli, 100, passed away October 9, 2016 at his home in Colorado Springs. Born in 1916 in Clay Center, Kansas to Albert and Ina Kraettli. The family moved to Atchison, Kansas where Jack delivered newspapers while attending school and working on his parents' dairy and egg farm. He also worked around the Missouri River during the last years of the Great Depression. He married Betty Cox of Effingham, Kansas on October 12, 1940 in Norman, Oklahoma. Jack attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Civil Engineering degree. He was commissioned in the United States Army and associated with the last Mounted Calvary Unit in Oklahoma. He pursued civil engineering, and designed highways throughout Oklahoma and completed the first concrete bridge in Oklahoma. He served during WWII and was stationed at Fort Ord, Monterey, California and deployed to Command Headquarters for the U. S. Army, Hawaii. Jack was discharged in 1947 having attained the rank of Major.

Jack became the City Engineer for Aurora, Colorado. He laid out the original control tower and runways for Stapleton Airport. He moved to Colorado Springs in 1952 and resided at what is currently known as Rock Ledge Ranch. Jack founded his own company: H.J. Kraettli and Sons and provided civil engineering design and land surveying services for some of the developers in the area. He was the resident engineer for the United States Air Force Academy and the NORAD Center as well as projects at Fort Carson and Lowery Air Force Base. He surveyed, engineered and oversaw the replacement of the tarmac at Peterson Field and assisted with the conversions at Ent Air Force Base to the United States Olympic Training Center. He taught Continuing Professional Education classes in engineering and was Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in Colorado and received many accolades for his contributions.

Jack and Betty were instrumental in the grass roots establishment of the Eisenhower Osteopathic Hospital and served on the Board for the Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation for 15 years. Jack remained active in the Colorado Springs Lions Club.

Jack is survived by his sons: Jackson (Etta) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jerry (Terra) of Colorado Springs, and David (Jessie) of Colorado Springs, and granddaughter: Michelle, sister: Margaret. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Betty, his parents, brother Marvin and sister Charlotte.

A viewing will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home on Friday October 14, 2016; 5 -7 p.m. Funeral Services will be at Evergreen Funeral Home Saturday October 15th, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.



Memorial contributions may be made to the Lions or charity of your choice.