Dorothy Marie (Leick) Kraus

Dorothy Marie Kraus, 91, Wausau, entered into the gates of heaven peacefully March 21, 2021, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, surrounded by her loving family at Sylvan Crossings, Wausau.

She was born September 12, 1929 in Stratford, WI, daughter of the late Archie and Jennie (Knops) Leick. She grew up on a dairy farm in Stratford and graduated from Stratford High School. On November 14, 1951 she married Louis A. Kraus Jr. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stratford. He preceded her in death on August 10, 2019 after 67 years of marriage.

Dorothy lovingly cared for her family making them her top priority. She was one of many musically talented family members playing the piano and accordion throughout the years. She could be found later on in life on the piano bench with one of her many great-grandchildren sharing her craft.

She enjoyed many years of crocheting afghans for her grandchildren and embroidering dishtowels for all her children. You could find her completing crosswords puzzles and putting together many jigsaw puzzles. She and Louie loved to travel the country and enjoyed taking day trips together in their later years.

She was a loving devoted mother to 8 beautiful children, and a loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren (soon to be 22), 4 step-great-grandchildren and 1 step great-great-grandchild.

Survivors include her children Karen (Barney) Mueller of Fenwood, Diane (Jim) Bohman of Stratford, Janet Fischer of Weston, Louis (Patti) Kraus of Wausau, Bob (Margaret) Kraus of Sun Prairie, Darlene (Dale) Krzanowski of Edgar, Gloria (Jack) Stencil of Wausau, Duane Kraus of Wausau; Grandchildren, Chris (Tina) Mueller, Renee Mueller, Becky (Joey) Stueber, Jennifer Bohman, Jessica (Jason Krause) Bohman, Matthew (Jenny) Bohman, Heather (Joe) Murkowski, Emily (Matt) Graveen, John (Chrissy) Kraus, Morgan (David) Diaz, McKenzie (Ben) Colvin, and Jameson Kraus, Justin (Brittni) Krzanowski, Josh (Leah) Krzanowski, Megan (Adam) Stanek; step-grandchildren Samantha (Nathan Koss) Reynolds, Marissa (Kyle Birling) Reynolds, Todd (Sue) Fischer, and Tim (Elayne) Fischer.

She is survived by her siblings Lucille Leick, Marshfield, MaryAnne Schreiner, Weston, Kenneth (Mary) Leick, Stratford and Orville (Rosanne) Leick, Weston, sister-in-law Margaret Leick, Stratford and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Louis, her parents Archie and Jennie Leick, a brother Richard Leick, a brother-in-law Francis Schreiner, and her son-in-law Richard Fischer.

A private family Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:00 p.m. Friday March 26, 2021 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau. The service will  be live streamed on the St. Matthew Catholic Church site. The Rev. Robert Thorn will preside. Burial will be in St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Rozellville. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

The family would like to thank Bernie of Aspirus Palliative Care, Jodi and all the caregivers at Sylvan Crossings, and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their loving care of Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in Dorothy’s name.