Robert "Bob" A. Krause

Robert “Bob” A. Krause, 76, Edgar passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Edgar.

He was born April 18, 1948, in Edgar, son of the late Anton and Elizabeth (Sekorski) Krause. On September 7, 1973, he married Kay Fochs at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Halder. She survives.

Bob was a dairy farmer in Edgar for many years, retiring in 1992. Some of his favorite pastimes included fishing, ping pong, tossing bean bags, playing cards, checkers, slow pitch softball, bowling, horseshoes, and watching the Green Bay Packers and the Brewers.

Survivors include his loving wife, Kay Krause, Edgar, his four daughters, Amy (Kim) Peche, Stetsonville, JoAnn (Andrew) Radke, Edgar, Lori Krause, Edgar and Tracy (Daniel) Hilgendorf, Wausau, his grandchildren, Trevor, Kloie, Natallya, Brodhi, and Logan, Morgan, and Darwin, Brooks, one sister and one brother, Rosanne (Ernie) Soczka and William (Kathy) Krause and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, James Krause and a sister, Linda Franke.

Bob was a hard-working dairy farmer, who loved his animals. Most importantly he loved his family and faith. He met the love of his life Kay, and enjoyed fifty-one years of marital bliss. His love for her was unconditional, together they raised four beautiful daughters who he spoiled rotten. He was the glue in our family always bringing everyone together. If the phone rang or he stopped in you knew instantly that you would have to drop your project and do whatever he requested. No matter what you were doing, he made you stop and take time for family. You could have a ton of work lined up, it didn’t matter, you could never say “no” to him. This would vary from unlimited games of bag toss, cards, Kings Court, or fixing his car, you get the idea. Bob was the patriarch of all the games, he would change the rules to help him win. Our whole family learned to live and play by these rules, it was a constant joke “Go, Team Krause”.

Bob was a dedicated husband and father. He always made time to come to events we had while growing up. He was our hero and teacher. Our Dad enrolled us in Little League, we had fun practicing with him. He taught us how to play catch, it was our job to help him warm up before he left to play softball. We tried to finish barn chores and milking as fast as possible to watch him play ball. He loved taking us on group bike rides after milking. Our dad taught us how to fish with cane poles in the crick, catching shiners. His love for animals taught us responsibility, kindness, and patience. He had numerous dogs and cows over the years and could name every one of them and tell you something about them. He taught us the art of storytime as that man loved to talk a trait he inherited from Liz, bless her soul. He taught us to be patient and kind, to make time, and to have fun. He always had a joke ready and loved to make people smile. He loved to play cards, texas holdem, rummy 500, and a 100 other various card games. Bob made friends wherever he went and always had a story to tell. Hearts was one card game he hated to play with his wife Kay she made him play it constantly this was a game he could not win. He also enjoyed playing cards with neighbors and friends. He was a pillar of the community and loved by all.

Bob enjoyed watching his grandkid’s sporting events, and concerts. He enjoyed taking them to swim lessons and dropping them off at school. Bob was proud of his grandchildren he loved to watch their 4h achievements whether it was a project or them showing their bunnies, chickens or horses at the fair. He always made them feel special and loved everytime he would visit he would have a trinket or candy in his pocket. He enjoyed yearly Christmas cookie decorating with the grandkids I don’t know who used more sprinkles. He was the best grandpa a kid could ask for. They always begged to go to Grandpa Bobby’s house all the time, one of his favorite mottos was “don’t tell Kay” but I’m pretty sure she already knew. Bob loved to take them to the minnow ponds to teach them how to fish and give them a chance to play and swim. He also loved to play darts and board games with them.

Bob enjoyed spending time with his son-in-law Kim talking about tractors, farming, and of course fishing, which was always an adventure summer or winter. He looked forward to any project he could be part of. He enjoyed mowing lawn and assisting with any project that he could. He always loved to tinker. He enjoyed making memories with son-in-law Dan snagging logs and chasing the big fish. He loved evening boat rides watching the sunsets and taking in the beautiful landscape. Bob loved to spend time with his son-in-law Andy playing WII bowling and every other game imaginable. They shared jokes and always had a surprise for each other (private ongoing joke).

His hobbies included fishing, fishing, and more fishing. Bob liked his secret fishing holes which made him hard to track down at times, as you never knew which “honey” hole he was at. Rain or shine, hot or cold, even if the fish weren’t biting that was his happy place. If you fished he would be asking you non-stop to go fishing. He enjoyed fishing with his son-in-laws and grandchildren who also loved fishing and spending time with him. His favorite lure was #4 gold eagle claw hook, and boy could he catch them with that. He loved fishing for crappie, bass, bluegill, perch, and walleye. He was always overjoyed if he caught a northern or muskie, as it was always a surprise. Some of his best memories are camping on Lake Holtmen his favorite fishing hole.

Bob was competitive in any game he played. There would always be a small wager to sweeten the pot. When Bob was in high school he won a table tennis tournament, earning himself a trophy. For many years we would compete in our basement attempting to beat the champion, needless to say, Bob always won. When table tennis became too hard he moved onto pool, he also excelled in that. His reward after a hard game was a frosty mug of root beer or a rootbeer float. This fed his competitive nature and he then moved to games like horseshoes, croquet, pool, and bag toss. Bob had a love for the bean bag toss game and entered any tournament he could find with his grandkids. Although it was harder as he aged he never quit playing.

Bob had a love for classic country music and would play his records, over and over. When he started to sing, you either covered your ears or joined in with him. He was notorious for making you watch the classics, anything with “John Wayne” or “Gun Smoke”, they were always his favorite. You were extra special and considered part of the elite club if he invited you to watch “Doc West” with him, his favorite saying from the movie was “I left but now i’m back” and it holds true to its meaning, he left and always came back, until he didn’t.

Our Dad enjoyed slow family boat rides, and grandkids climbing on his lap with tons of hugs and kisses. Conversations about nothing and sometimes about everything, we would watch the sun fade in the distance, always looking forward to just one more day.

His enthusiasm for life was contagious. You never saw Bob without a smile. Bob loved working in the ginseng gardens with brother Bill and listening to Rosanne’s adventures. His greatest wish was to meet with his parents and

siblings again, whom he missed greatly. He missed fishing with Linda at her cottage. But most of all he said he missed his best friend his brother Jim…..

This is the greatest man I ever knew. Till we meet again you are loved and missed, we will cherish every moment and every memory that you helped us create.

Visitation for Bob will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St John Catholic Church, Edgar with a prayer service starting at 8 p.m.  In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Bob’s name.  Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkaremer.com