The leaded glass pieces forming the Kraft Clothing Co. sign appeared to be in pretty good condition when the sign was exposed during a project constructing a new overhanging facade on the building in downtown Tama earlier this summer. News-Herald photos/John Speer

While Karl Kraft’s clothing store sign is back “under wraps” the legacy he left is not. With the brief glimpse of the leaded glass sign exposed recently while an old canopy was replaced with a new one, the story of Kraft’s influence and generosity surfaced again, too.

He died at Sunny Hill Care Center in 1973 at the age of 85. His wife, Madolyn, preceded him in death in 1970. Their son, Louis, also died after Karl’s passing in the same year, 1973.

The Krafts were married in 1915 and always lived here according to his News-Herald obituary.

While many today may not have been familiar with them, Tama Attorney John Willett did know the family. He recalls they lived modestly above the clothing store at 133 West 3rd, the present location of Homegrown Smokers.

After Kraft retired, Hazel’s Fashion Fabrics, then Bogie’s Gal occupied the space for many years.

Willett said Kraft and his sisters had owned a small chain of clothing stores in Iowa in addition to the Tama location.

While there’s nothing to be found other than his photo in the 1961 Tama Centennial Book, John Willett said aside from operating the clothing business Kraft invested in the stock market. Wisely.

John Willett’s father, Walter, also a Tama attorney, served as the attorney for the Kraft estate and Merchants National Bank, Cedar Rapids, was the executor- life trustee.

It was Walter Willett who steered his client to be a benefactor whose generosity provides for those with special needs today and is expected to for years to come.

John Willett recounts his father, the long -time Tama County Attorney, often attended annual District Attorney conventions.

At one held in New York City he engaged in a casual conversation with NYC attorneys. The east coast lawyers marveled mid-westerners continually donated money to causes in the east when they could be making their good will gestures at home where they were just as much needed.

With that knowledge, Walter Willett suggested to Kraft he consider this in his estate planning.

And, from a portion of the proceeds of the Kraft estate came the ongoing financial support over the years for the upkeep of the Tama County Career Development Center, now the ( Central Iowa Residential Service ,Inc. Opportunity Center. That building which long housed the Bee Hive Department Store was donated by owner Les Fulton to the Tama County ARC organization.

In addition, Kraft’s generosity has provided for the purchase and maintenance of three group homes in Tama and Toledo owned by Tama County ARC and operated by Central Ia. Residential Services.

That’s not quite all. The Tama County ARC organization continues to hold cash and stocks, some of which are Kraft’s original market investments, John Willett said.

Karl Kraft -Photo from Tama Centennial History Book, 1961

Depending upon the market, ARC has $300,000 – $400,000 thanks to Karl Kraft.

The Tama County ARC organization is headed by Jim Dinsdale, president, Traer, Gary Mattson, rural Tama, vice president, Sally Willett, secretary and John Willett, treasurer.

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A new awning is installed to once again cover the Kraft Clothing Company sign on Tama’s West 3rd Street. News-Herald/John Speer