Nancy “Nan” Ann Krause, 91, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 1, 2024 after a slow decline these past years and a brief illness the past months.
Nan was born November 9, 1932 in Wausau, the daughter of William and Eleanor (Gehrke) Pautz. On July 9, 1955, Nan married Gerald “Jerry” A. Krause, a lifelong friend who actually visited her in the hospital when she was born. Family was so very important and precious to Nan. She was blessed by God becoming a mom with the birth of Timothy J. Krause in 1958. Second-born was Andrew K. Krause in 1960 and Elizabeth A. Krause arrived in 1963. Nan has five granddaughters and five great-grandchildren and one on the way!
Nan graduated from Wausau High School in 1949, attended one year at the University of Wisconsin-Wausau Extension, three years at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Education degree K-4 Elementary Education, and she earned a master’s degree in Special Education-Learning Disabilities K-12 in 1976.
Nan served enthusiastically as a pastor’s wife in the Wisconsin towns and cities of Stockbridge, Ripon, Edgerton, Oshkosh, Sun Prairie, Beloit, and Rockford (IL) where Jerry served as a United Methodist pastor and on the Wisconsin United Methodist Conference Staff. She taught Sunday School, was involved in Women’s Circle, sang in church choirs, and served people in many other ways. Nan thrived in her work as a teacher of second grade for two years in Appleton, WI, third grade for two years in Skokie, IL and one year in Chilton, a Title One teacher in Sun Prairie, and a special education – learning disability teacher and specialist in Beloit. After 25 years of teaching in public schools, she retired in 1995 and moved to Sturgeon Bay, WI.
In Door County, Nan, along with Jerry and brother and sister-in-law Don and Ann Stannard, ran a small fruit orchard selling cherries and apples at local famer markets. Nan loved genealogy and family history research. She served at the Heritage Village at Crossroads at Big Creek as a living history interpreter. She was active with the Door County Historical Society, the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church, and the local PEO chapter. Other interests include writing, travel, Elderhostels, reading, gardening, playing bridge, and other games, cooking, and having time with friends and family.
Nan’s love will live on in the hearts of her children, Timothy “Tim” (Elizabeth Babler) Krause of Beloit, WI, Andrew “Andy” (Barbara) Krause of Menomonie, WI, Elizabeth “Beth” (Steven) Pugh currently of Minneola, FL; five grandchildren, Leah and Joanna both of Menomonie, Sarah (Michael) Newland [and their sons August and Ari] of Minneapolis, MN, Caroline (Gabe) Walker [and their daughters Madi and Ellie] of Columbia Heights, MN, Kristen (Luke) Bergman [and their daughter, Olivia and one on the way] of Maple Grove, MN; and brother and sister-in-law, Don and Ann Stannard of Hudson, WI; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Jerry (2020).
Nancy’s life will be honored with a funeral service held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church with Rev. David Leistra officiating. The funeral service will be livestreamed at 10:00 a.m. via the Huehns Funeral Home Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HuehnsFuneralHome). Those anticipating viewing the service on Facebook are encouraged to “Like” the funeral home page and go to the page just prior to 10:00 a.m. to receive notification of the (live) broadcast.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.
Nancy will be laid to rest in Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau beside her husband, Jerry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to any of the following:
United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) through the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church or at https://umcmission.org/give-to-um/
Heritage Village at Big Creek through the Door County Historical Society at https://doorcountyhistorical society.org/heritage-village
PEO Scholarship for future women educators made to Timothy Krause (2430 Clifcorn Dr, Beloit WI 53511).
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Nancy may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
