Thomas L. Krake

Thomas L. Krake, age 83, died on Friday, September 19, 2025, at House of the Dove, Marshfield, with his beloved wife, Darlene, at his side.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 – 11:00 am, a memorial service at 11:00 am with Rev. Heather Brown officiating, and a luncheon and Celebration of Life to follow the service at Rembs Celebration Center. Please join the family to celebrate Tom's life and bring your favorite story of Tom to share.

Tom was born on July 27, 1942, in Gillett, WI to James N. and Marcella (Pagenkopf) Krake. He graduated from Gillett High School in 1960 and attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and psychology in 1966. While at the UW Eau Claire he was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega, a service-oriented fraternity. He married Darlene A. Jahr on May 21, 1966, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Eau Claire. They traveled to all forty-eight contiguous states, many on their GoldWing motorcycle and have many stories of their travels both at home and abroad. Tom's career was spent as a data processing manager: first, in Ripon, WI at Speed Queen Corporation; later at Felker Brothers Corporation in Marshfield, WI; and finally at Weather Shield in Medford WI, until his retirement in 2001.

Tom loved motorcycling, golfing, and curling. He loved gardening in his yard and volunteered with the Master Gardeners, landscaping the gazebo at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds and developing a prairie garden at Nasonville School. He was a 40+ year member of Faith Lutheran Church, Marshfield; a long time member and volunteer of the BPO Elks Club Lodge Number 665 in Marshfield; and very active in the Marshfield Curling Club as a player, volunteer, and national champion.

Tom is survived by his wife of 59 years, Darlene, their daughters, Kellie (Frank Gunn) Krake of Toronto and Erin Krake of Washington State, and a granddaughter, Sophie (Lucas). He is also survived by siblings, James (Carol) Krake, Jr. of Clovis, NM, and Richard (Nancy) Krake of Evansville, WI. He is further survived by Darlene's siblings, Gary (Nancy) Jahr, Donald (Janet) Jahr, James (Sharon, deceased) Jahr, Shirley (Bruce) Rittschof, and Marianne (Phil) Guntner, and numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Curtis F. Krake.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Compassus and House of the Dove, the oncology team at Marshfield Clinic, particularly Dr. Yeboah and everyone on the staff, and the friends and family who helped Tom share his laughter and zest for life until his final days.

Tom was a philosopher, mathematician, and comedian. His gift was to make people laugh with his "Tommy-isms".

To remember Tom, please make a donation to the charity of your choice that would reflect Tom or plant something in your garden by which to remember him. He made the best pesto from his garlic and basil and the best hot apple jelly and applesauce from his Cortland and Spartan apple trees.