Katryna Krause

Katryna 'Katie" Krause, 98, of Winona, MN, slipped away from her earthly bounds into eternal rest on January 9th, 2025. She was surrounded by her family, leaving a legacy of love and friendship. She lived a life filled with kindness, warmth, and love that left a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Katie was born on August 26, 1926, in Sikeston, Missouri, to James Oliver and Nettie Estella (Bennett) Eubank. When she was a young child, her family moved to Effingham, IL, where she later graduated from High School.

After high school, she lived with two of her older sisters during the war, moving multiple times as her sisters' husbands were stationed and deployed. At the end of the war, she was in Granite City, IL, working at the Army Depot when a mutual friend asked her if she would be interested in going out with a friend of his. She must have left quite an impression because the young man went out and bought a car so he could date her. The car must have worked, for she married Harvey Krause in April 1947.

They started their married life in Illinois and soon welcomed David and Linda. Katie enjoyed being close to family on both sides. Harvey worked for IBM and a few years later was transferred to Kingston, NY, where they welcomed Stephen and Thomas. Katie's grace and warmth led her to work as a hostess at the local bank and in retail sales while raising her family. Wanting to get back to the Midwest and be close to family, Harvey negotiated a transfer to IBM in Rochester, MN. With the move back to the Midwest, Harvey & Katie became active members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Katie worked for the School District so that she could have time off to spend with her children.

She continued to work at the School District until her youngest graduated from college, and then she retired. Katie started square dancing and became involved in the Kiwanis and the VFW Auxiliary. Harvey retired after 44 years with IBM and was constantly under her feet until she told him to "find something to do!"

They enjoyed their retirement in MN until Harvey died in March 2003, a year after their daughter Linda's unexpected death. Needing a change of scenery, Katie moved to Fountain Hills, AZ, to begin a new chapter in her life. She made many friends as she continued her involvement with the Kiwanis in AZ, serving many "Big K" breakfasts at the Fountain Hills Arts Festival, and as a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Katie always loved to listen to others' stories about the places they traveled to, and so after her daughter's death, she celebrated her life with a cruise to the Greek Islands with family members, one of Linda's favorite places.

Family was always central to her life, and during COVID, Katie missed seeing her nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. So, during the middle of COVID, she moved to Winona, MN, to be closer to family, not a simple undertaking at the time.

She celebrated her family's successes and would often comment on how far she'd come from the farm in Missouri all those years ago. Their success was her success, their joy her joy. She often said that her secret to life was "I'm too blessed to be stressed."

She was a cherished wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, sister, and friend. Surviving are her sons: Stephen (Susan) Krause of Fountain Hills, AZ, and Thomas (Renee) Krause of Winona, MN, many nieces and nephews, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two children: David Krause and Linda Krause; four brothers: William Eubank, Palmer Eubank, Robert Eubank, and Jack Eubank; and three sisters: Guinevere Hutson, Maxine Goff, and Gwendolyn McIntosh.

A celebration of Katie's life will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 222 6th Ave SW, Rochester, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood East Cemetery, 3681 Viola Road NE, Rochester, MN.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Krause family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.