David W. Krause

David W. Krause, aged 85, left this earth and entered into God’s kingdom on Monday, May 6, 2024. David was born July 31,1938 in Merrill, Wisconsin to the parents of Ruth (Karau) and Elmer Krause. He joined the Navy at 17 years old and traveled to Japan, Hawaii, and California. After serving four years in the Navy, he returned home and met the love of his life, Joanne Zastrow in July of 1961 and traveled between Merrill and Milwaukee to be with her until they married December 2,1961.

He loved his wife and worked very hard to allow her to be a stay-at-home mom and raise their three children, Mark, Sherri, and Kevin. David had many jobs including working at American Motor Corp., Marathon Electric, Weinbrenner Shoe Company, and Northern Wire. He also ran his own business, Dave’s Cleaning Service.

David cherished his family time with Joanne as they attended their children’s sporting events, band competitions, and school concerts. He spent many hours playing basketball in the driveway, baseball in the field next door, taking bike rides, and helping build sledding paths in the winter. Weekends during the summer were spent as a family camping in Tomahawk or taking day trips to Tug Lake to swim and picnic. These activities all contributed immensely to his children's love of the outdoors.

When the first grandchild came and could not say Grandpa, David took pride in being called “Pucka.” He and Joanne spent their early retirement years as loving babysitters for their grandchildren. As grandchildren got older, he would attend holiday concerts, sporting events, and teach them how to play cribbage. David loved hearing about his grandson in Eau Claire and was proud of his musical talents. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow and loved to brag about all of their accomplishments.

David enjoyed fishing, tinkering in the garage, and using any means possible to fix things around the house. He was always a jokester and loved to tease anyone he could. If you asked him how he felt, you knew the answer would be “with my fingers.” He also loved to tell you his three favorite vegetables were lettuce, turnip, and pea. You could ask him who would win any sports game, and his answer always was “ the team with the most points.”

David is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Joanne (Zastrow) Krause, his two sons, Mark Krause (Minneapolis) and Kevin Krause (Eau Claire), his daughter Sherri (Dennis) Schulz (Merrill), his two granddaughters, Camryn and Deylah Schulz (Merrill), two grandsons Joshua Krause (Eau Claire) and Dawson Schulz (Merrill), grand dogs Midas and Clutch, sister Bonnie (Gerald) Gerkhardt (Milwaukee), several nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

David was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Janice Rajek and Cheri Volkman, brother Donald Krause, nieces Jean Mondeik and Crystal Josiger, nephew Randall Rajek, and dogs Peanut, Pebbles, Sam, Katie, cats Murphy and Muffin, and grand dogs Emmett and Cooper.

David’s uplifting, humorous and positive attitude will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. He was a fantastic husband, father, grandpa, Pucka, and friend. We were blessed to have such a great man in our lives.

The memorial service for David will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Rev. Michael Southcombe will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. The burial will take place in Springbrook Cemetery, Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, with graveside military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com