David A. Krause, 77, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening, Jan. 5, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital in Madison with his family at his side due to complications from a recent stroke.
David Allen Krause was born on Feb. 14, 1945, in Shawano as the son of the late Adolph and Dorothy (Haut) Krause. He graduated from Shawano High School in 1963 and went on to serve his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he was stationed in Thailand as a communications specialist. After his honorable discharge, Dave worked for over 25 years for Bell Telephone companies in many different positions, from telephone installer and lineman to manager of multiple offices, in Wisconsin and Tucson, Arizona.
Dave lived on Cloverleaf Lakes in the Town of Belle Plaine until the past few years when he resided in Appleton to be closer to family. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Embarrass. Dave was also a member of the American Legion Post 117 in Shawano. He was a big Wisconsin sports fan, rarely missing any Badgers, Packers or Brewers games.
He loved to fish, whether it was a relaxing day on Cloverleaf Lakes or a fishing trip with his brothers and friends. In his younger years, he was an avid golfer. Dave was a great storyteller and loved spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. He had a soft spot for dogs, both his own and those belonging to his daughters.
Dave greatly appreciated the UW Health Transplant Center and the organ donor who gifted him the organs he needed, which sustained his earthly body for almost an extra 20 years.
Survivors include his daughters, Melanie (Brendan) O’Brien, Renee (Jon Sullivan) Derks, Lacy (Justin) Challe and Nicole (Adam) Kovar; grandchildren, Audrey, Elena and Natalie O’Brien, Bailey and Bradley Derks, Charlie and Josie Challe, and Henry and Philip Kovar; sister, Joan (Milo) Lemke; brother, Dan (Brenda) Krause; sister-in-law, Beatrice Krause; numerous nieces and nephews whom he cared for deeply.
David was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Todd Derks; brothers, Gerald and Jim Krause; and a niece, Barb Lemke.
The Krause family would like to thank the caring staff at Select Specialty Hospital in Madison, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton and the Rev. Todd Jerabek for his visits throughout the years.
Dave’s memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Embarrass with the Rev. Todd Jerabek officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Military honors will be conducted outside of the church following the service by members of the Clintonville American Legion Post 63, VFW Post 664, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, and D.A.V. Chapter 53.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established by David’s family to benefit an organ donation awareness organization.
The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home and Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com
David A. Krause
