Betty Jane Krause

Betty Jane Krause, age 94, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Bell Tower residence, while surrounded by her loving family 24 hours a day while on her 10-day journey home to God. She was under the care of Interim Hospice. She was born on March 31, 1930, to the late Edmund and Lillian (Berndt) Kleinschmidt in the town of Corning. Betty attended Trinity Lutheran School and was baptized, confirmed and married at Trinity Lutheran Church. She met and married the love of her life, Norbert Krause, on July 3, 1954. Sadly, he passed away on June 27, 2002. She provided loving care for Norbert for years as he progressed through Parkinson’s Disease until he needed more physical care than she could provide.

Betty was a homemaker and a farm wife. She worked hard on the farm and raised their 2 children. Family was a very important part of her life and she would enjoy the time spent with them. She was the oldest of her family and would always organize the family Christmas party and lead everyone in Christmas carols. Betty had an incredibly strong faith and was faithful with reading her Bible. She was always “OK” and never complained. Betty’s smile could light up a room and everyone who met her said what a sweet lady she was. She loved organizing and having her rummage sales every year, and had many repeat customers that would look forward to her sale. She loved visiting with them just like they were family. Her children would be asked "when is your mom having her rummage sale?" When she was baking, her apple bars and jello salad were her specialty. She loved spoiling her 3 grandchildren by making them each their own favorite breakfast. Betty loved having the great grandkids over after school and playing cards with them. Of course, she would always let them win and she would have their favorite snacks on hand. Betty was a skilled seamstress and made many gifts for family and for donations. She also enjoyed crocheting. You could find Betty and her friends out and about on a Friday night, trying all of the area fish fry’s! She took such pride in keeping her lawn perfect and sweeping off her sidewalk or chopping ice and her house was always spotless and super organized. She was a caretaker for her mother-in-law Ruth for several years after she was wheelchair bound after having a stroke. Betty was a member at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, the Homemakers Club, ladies aid and was a Sunday School teacher. Betty looked forward to listening to polkas and Swap Shop on the radio. She will be sadly missed,but never forgotten. 

Betty is survived by her son: Daniel (Becky) Krause, daughter: Sally (Mark) Woller, sister: Joy (Al) Hulke, all of Merrill, grandchildren: Melissa (Chad) Wesbrock, Stephannie (Seth) Pajtash, all of Merrill and Eric (Jami) Krause of Mosinee, great grandchildren: Brady Haynes (girlfriend, Sidney), Connor Haynes (girlfriend, Emma), Emma Pajtash, Olivia Pajtash, Grayson, Benton and Bianca Krause and Macy Wesbrock. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband: Norbert, sister: Phyllis (Jim) Rahlf and brothers: Jimmy (LuEllen), Jack (Dawn) and Leroy Kleinschmidt.

The funeral service for Betty will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ in Merrill. Rev. Mike Southcombe will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, also at the church. Burial will take place at a later date at Merrill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations in Betty’s name be made to St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ or the Lincoln County Humane Society.

Family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and caring nursing staff at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital, Bell Tower residence and to Interim Hospice.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.