Don Krause

Don Krause passed away 11 June 2024 at Meadowbrook Care Center in Van Alstyne, TX. He was born on 20 November 1935 in Burwell, NE to Lester and Doris (Hibnes) Krause. He grew up in Nebraska and northern Colorado with his five brothers, and graduated Peetz High School in Peetz, CO where he was a star athlete and student. Like his older brother Keith, he was a role model for his younger brothers. At ages 11 & 10, they had the responsibility of delivering The Omaha World Herald newspaper to the entire north side of Sidney. For many military personnel, hungry for war news as they traveled west by rail on troop trains in 1945, these two industrious youngsters were the welcoming face of Sidney as they, from the platform of the Union Pacific train depot, sold their newspapers for a nickel to the service men.

They came from humble means, but he, like his brothers, rose to great success. He went on to Northeastern Junior College where he and his four brothers were later honored in 2011 by the NJC Alumni Association at the 68th Annual Commencement Exercise. From there he earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northern Colorado University and University of Northern Arizona respectively. He was a football, basketball, and wrestling coach and social studies teacher on the Hopi Indian Reservation in Tuba City, AZ, and also originated the Driver Education Program there. In 1965, he started working with A.O. Smith Harvestore Products as a field service representative and within five years started his own dealership, K-W Harvestore in Nevada, MO, where his annual sales volume grew from $250,000 to $4 million in ten years. He sold the dealership in 1980 and continued on into corporate management with A.O. Smith before starting another company, Road Boss Grader, with a network of 350 independent dealers.

He ultimately settled in north Texas, and in his free time, enjoyed traveling the countryside, boating, listening to Willie Nelson, and watching any sporting event, especially Dallas Cowboy's games. All would probably agree though that his greatest pleasure and pride was in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he always spoke highly of all their success and accomplishments in academics, sports, and life in general. He was charismatic and engaging, as evidenced by his success in business, but was also cherished and respected by his neighbors and providers, such that they always checked in and kept an eye out for him in his later years.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret Ann; his brother, Keith (Mary) Krause; his daughters Jodi (Larry) Guenin and Robin Watkins from a previous marriage; and his nephew Steven Cronk. He is survived by his brothers, Spencer (Treva), Ronald (LaDonna), Phillip (Pam), and Jerry (Cheryl) Cronk; his daughter Gabrielle (Randy) Miller and five of six children from previous marriages, Colleen Cirbo, Cindy Krause, Kelly (Greg) Sophinos-Margheim, Greg (Kellie) Krause, and Doug Krause; his 16 grandchildren, Craig (Brenda Brown) Cirbo, Matthew (Ashley) Cirbo, Kelly (Danna) Cirbo, Kayla (Scott) Beets, Kyle (Ashley) Lineberry, Cody Lineberry, Jamie (Keegan) Meismer, Nick Sophinos, Luke Sophinos, Keith Krause, Alexandra Krause, Philip Krause, Vivian Krause, Colton Miller, Caleb Miller, and Ainsley Jo Miller; six great-grandchildren, Madison and Harris Cirbo, Ashlyn and Hudson Beets, and James and Oliver Meismer; and many nieces and nephews.

His family would also like to acknowledge his lifetime friends, neighbors and the staff at the Meadowbrook Care Center who have been a great support during this time.

Don's ashes will be interred at the graveside of his mother, Doris Cronk, in Sidney, NE, at a date to be determined.