Francis J. Krause

1934 - 2008

KEWANEE - Francis J. Krause, 73, of Kewanee, died at 3:18 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008, at Kewanee Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kewanee. Revs. Anthony Bernas and William Ronald Toliver and Deacon Martin VanMeltebeck will officiate. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee, with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kewanee. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Catholic Church or the American Diabetes Association.

Francis was born Oct. 30, 1934, in Kewanee, the son of Lloyd and Ann (Karpowicz) Krause. He graduated from Kewanee High School in 1953. He was then drafted into the Army and served his term in Germany. Upon his return, he met and then married Patricia Ann Pepple on June 1, 1963. Early in his life he worked during the harvest season on various relatives' farms baling hay and other chores as assigned. Francis was then trained as a welder and began working for various small shops around the area and finally began work for John Deere Inc. in Moline in the plow and planter division, where he worked for 30 years, retiring in 1995.

He was a member of the former St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Kewanee and currently a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was very much devoted to his church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Kewanee. Francis was very devoted to his wife and son, as well as other members of his family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He hunted not only rabbits, duck, quail and geese, but also mushrooms and some of those were the best. He and Patty traveled on many scenic vacations to Yellowstone, Estes Park, Minnesota and most recently to Traverse City, Mich., and Door County, Wis. Many of the trips from Traverse City yielded many trout. Upon the return from those trips, family and friends would enjoy his freshly smoked fish. Within the past few years, he was the first in line for the Illinois Trout Stamp for his license. Francis also loved to garden. He loved to plant his garden with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, beets, onions and the like, including flowers, not to enjoy on his own but mainly to share with his family and friends. Francis loved to cook, especially his soups, Lithuanian specialties and his special secret cole slaw recipe. He was a most giving person and will be missed by all that knew him and shared a part of his life.

Surviving are his wife, Patty Krause of Kewanee; a son, Tim Krause of Galesburg; a brother, Joseph (Mary) Krause of Kewanee; as well as several nieces and one nephew, in addition to several great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Anthony 'Tony' Krause.

Private condolences may be left at www.ruxfuneralhome.com.