Carol Jean Krause

Carol Jean Krause was taken to heaven, Dec. 20, 2024, at the age of 85. She was born in Eau Claire on Oct. 7, 1939, to William and Esther (Erickson) Smith. After her elementary school and high school, she earned a three-year teacher’s degree from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn. Later in her teaching career she also earned her certification to teach in public school from UW-Superior.

Carol’s very first teaching assignment was to a rural schoolhouse in Princeton, Minn., where she not only taught all grades but tended the wood stove and shoveled snow as needed. From there Carol accepted a call to teach first and second grade at Zion Lutheran School in Rhinelander. She taught at Zion for 25 years. She was very active in the church and school. She sang in the choir, was a member of the Ladies Guild, and in retirement spent time volunteering at the church and school.

It was at Zion that Carol “met the love of her life,” Robert Krause. They were married on June 8, 1963, celebrating 61 years together this year. Together they raised six children: Katherine, Elizabeth, Mary, Lisa, Diane and David. Carol loved her children. She cooked, sewed, painted, baked and decorated many, many cakes. Red velvet, chocolate, and banana were some of the most requested! So many holidays and special occasions were hosted and celebrated at her home. In her retirement years, Carol loved to camp with dad at McClain Park in Michigan, where she spent many hours looking for agates and beach glass along the shores of Lake Superior.

Carol is survived by her husband, Robert Krause; five children, Katherine Kroh, Mary (Ken) Nofftz, Lisa (Steve) Alsteen, Diane (Eric) Keller and David (Davina) Krause, her brother, Reverend John (Sandy) Smith, and sister Mary (Ronald) Younge. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren: Lydia Kroh, Danika Kroh, Elliana Kroh: Zaia, Haley Kroh, Samara Kroh, Devyn (Robbie) Aschenbrenner: Jasper and Freya, Jesse (Micheala) Nofftz, Morgan (Mitch) Beckendorf: Landon and Liam, Jacob Aschenbrenner, Jarett (Taylor) Nofftz, Seth Nofftz, Tanner (Danielle) Alsteen: Haze, Tayler Alsteen, and Alivia Krause as well as numerous nieces nephews, cousins and friends. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Elizabeth and her sister Dorothy (Douglas) Lehman.

Visitation for Carol will from 10 a.m. to noon with funeral services following at noon on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Reverend Karl Schultz will be officiating. Entombment will be in the Northland Garden Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in Carol’s name for the Zion Lutheran Grade School. You may also leave your private condolences for Carol’s family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Krause family.