Curtis Krause

Curtis Harlan Krause, 85, of Lewiston died Sunday, December 30, 2018, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, Minnesota, after a brief stay. His death was due to complications from surgery and Lewy Body Dementia.

Curtis was born on November 5, 1933, in Dover, Minnesota, to Fred and Elna (Brand) Krause. His family moved to a farm east of St. Charles while he was a child. Curtis graduated class valedictorian from St. Charles High School in 1951. He met his true love and life partner, Beverly (Brekke), at a dance, and they married in August of 1958. In March of 1960, they were blessed with a son, Michael, and in 1961 a daughter, Kathleen.

Curtis and Beverly continued their life on the family farm. Farming was his lifelong calling, and he enjoyed every moment, whether it be working with the livestock, planting crops, baling hay or harvest season. Curt was most happy when he was outdoors on the tractor. He and Mike would go on to work together as a team, raising hogs and beef cattle together, and working the land.

Curtis loved his family as much as he loved his farm. No matter how busy, he always took the time to take the family on summer vacations, fishing, and to an occasional Twins game. He enjoyed family get-togethers and relished a game of 500 or Whist. When grandchildren came into his life, he and Bev loved every moment they spent with them.

Curt was a kind, gentle man, and a true role model for his family. His family values and honest, hard working ethics were to be admired. Curtis was a member and served as president of the Winona County Pork Producers, the Winona County Farm Bureau, and was honored by the Winona County Fair Hall of Fame with "Curtis Krause Day" in 2002 for his achievements in agriculture. He was a member and past council representative of Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles.

He is survived by his son, Michael (Janet) Krause of St. Charles, and daughter, Kathy (Fess) Foster of Whitehall, Montana; three grandchildren, Ben and Emma Krause of St. Charles, and Nick (Angelina) McElmury of Santa Monica, California; and a great-granddaughter, Lorayna, of St. Charles. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, and his parents.

Funeral Services for Curtis will be 11 a.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Reverend Waldemar Gies officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Hoff Funeral Service in St. Charles. Visitation will also be at the church on Friday from 10 - 11 a.m. Please leave a memory of Curtis at his on-line guestbook and view his video tribute, when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.