Kenneth W Krause

Kenneth William Frederick Krause, age 87, of Mankato, died Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at Hillcrest Health Care Center in Mankato.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 27, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato, with Rev. Al Girtz and Rev. Arne Jessen officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Woodville Cemetery in Waseca. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Mankato Mortuary and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorials are preferred to Old Main Village Memorial Fund or to the donor's choice.

Kenneth was born on April 22, 1921 in Woodville Township, Waseca County to John and Metha (Schuldt) Krause. He was baptized on June 19, 1921 and confirmed in his faith in 1935, both at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Meriden. Kenneth was a 1940 graduate of Waseca High School. Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served from 1942 to 1945. He became a pilot and served in the China-Burma-India Theatre with the 1st Combat Cargo Group, 3rd Squadron unit. He flew 72 missions over "The Hump". He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses for service beyond the call of duty, four Bronze Stars and Air Medals, the Purple Heart, numerous theatre ribbons, and the Chinese Air Force Pilot Wings. He was united in marriage to Mavis Dierks at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waseca on February 10, 1943. They lived in Waseca and were members of St. John's Lutheran Church. Mavis passed away on March 10, 1960.

Kenneth married Dolores Braun at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville on June 10, 1962. They lived in Mankato in the Southview II area and later at Old Main Village. Kenneth was employed by the Standard Oil Company for 31 years. He and Dolores owned and operated the Nor-V-Gen Oil Company for 20 years. Kenneth was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. He served on committees at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Civil Air Patrol, Experimental Aircraft Association, Mankato Airport Commission, and the Republican Party. Kenneth was a member of the CAP, EAA, CBI Veterans Association, VFW, American Legion, the Air Force Association and Rotary Club of Mankato.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Dolores of Mankato; two sons, John (Betsey) Krause of Westerville, OH and James (Paula) Krause of Eden Prairie; seven grandchildren, Anna, Oliver, Peter, Marta, Caroline, Timothy, and Cynthia; one sister, Lorraine Klinger; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; one brother-in-law, William (Florence) Braun; one sister-in-law, Doris Manthey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mavis; granddaughter, Sarah Krause; brother, Lyle Krause and his wife, Allegra; two brothers-in-law, Wesley Klinger and Ray Manthey.