Dorothy H. Krause

Dorothy H. Krause, 100, of Merrill, formerly of the Town of Pine River, passed away Monday, March 17, 2025, at her home under the care of her family and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.

Dorothy was born December 12., 1924, in Lincoln County, daughter of Edward and Olga (Kanitz) Scheu. During high school, Dorothy met Walter ‘Poker’ Krause. In her senior year of high school, Dorothy moved out to Seattle and worked for Boeing Aircraft. She spent a year out east before she and Walter moved to Austin, Texas due to his service in the military. They later relocated to Trenton, New Jersey, and eventually Poker was sent overseas. It was during his furlough, on December 12, 1943, that Dorothy and Poker were married. After his discharge, Dorothy and Porker moved back to Wisconsin and bought a dairy farm in the Town of Pine River.

They farmed for over 45 years, until their son and his wife took over. After this, Dorothy and Poker took to traveling. They drove to Alaska, enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, fished at Whitefish Lake in Canada, and visited her brother Ervin’s cabin on Crown Land in Canada.

Although, Dorothy ‘retired’ from farming, she never truly gave up farm chores and was actively involved in chores until she was 93. She loved taking care of the calves, even shoveling a path to them in the winter. She enjoyed gardening and feeding the birds. She push-mowed her lawn into her late 80’s.

She was a Chicago Cubs fan and had a great rivalry with her brother, Arnold, who was an Atlanta Braves fan. She loved the fact that she was able to watch the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.

Dorothy loved listening to Molly B Polka Party, and several times, she was able to go to the Molly B Christmas Show. She enjoyed the trip she made to Missouri at age 99. They took a Mississippi River Boat Cruise, saw the bridges in Madison County, and visited Dogwood Canyon in Branson.

Dorothy enjoyed going to the casino, playing Bingo, dominos, Cribbage, and other card games. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In younger years, she enjoyed snowmobiling. Dorothy was a longtime member of St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. In later years, she enjoyed listening to the church services on the radio.

Survivors include two daughters-in-law, Cindy Krause and Cathy Krause both of Merrill; four grandchildren, Amy Krause of Merrill, Shawn (Kristie) Krause of Wausau, Lori (Kurt) Wendt of Merrill, and Jason Krause of Merrill; and five great-grandchildren, Mitchell (Danielle), Kaitlyn, Elizabeth, Emily, and Elise. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Walter ‘Poker’ Krause; father, Edward Scheu; mother, Olga Scheu; sons, Larry Krause and Duane Krause; granddaughter-in-law, Leah Krause; and siblings, Walter Scheu, Elsie (Carl) Yorde, Arnold (Esther) Scheu, and Ervin (Annie) Scheu.

The memorial service for Dorothy will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday March 30, 2025, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 903 E. Third St., Merrill. Rev. Michael Southcombe will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

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