Norbert W. Krause, 95, of Harmony, Minn., and formerly of Tomah and Wilton, passed away peacefully Sept. 20, 2017, in Ostrander, Minn.
He was born Aug. 13, 1922, to Ernest and Emilie (Arndt) Krause. He was united in marriage to Josephine Torres on Aug. 13, 1950, in Blue Earth, Minn.
Norb was born and raised on a farm near Wilton. The youngest of seven children, he graduated from Wilton High School and started working for Glendenning Transport out of New Lisbon. He later bought his own semi-truck to transport fuel. In 1958, he and his wife, Jo, purchased the A&W Drive-In at Cresco, Iowa, operating it until 1971, when he went back into trucking. At age 64, Norb bought his last new 1986 Kenworth. In 1994, he retired.
He loved working on anything mechanical, doing almost all of his own repair work. He was always up to a challenge. He loved working on and around the house and property and was always busy on a project.
He cherished his family and friends and getting together with them. He will be remembered for his spirited conversations and opinions. He will be missed by the people he loved.
He is survived by his wife, Josephine of Harmony, Minn.; two sons, William Krause of Hanover, Minn., and David Krause of Cresco, Iowa; two grandchildren, Laura Krause and her husband Ahmed of Spring Lake Park, Minn., and Katelyn and her husband, Jo Ortman of Buffalo, Minn.; and five great-grandchildren. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Emilie of Wilton; a sister, Elsie Blado of Milton, Wis.; a brother, Ferdie Krause of Wilton; a brother, Edwin of Wilton; a sister Hertha, and a brother-in-law, Glenn Stoddard of Lodi, Wis.; a sister, Elverth, and a brother-in-law, Oscar Pausch of Kendall; and a brother, Elvin Krause of Wilton.
A visitation will be held from 12–1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, 702 Center St., Wilton, with a committal service to follow in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Wilton. Pastor Mark Benning will officiate. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
