Eileen Avis Krage

HOUSTON AND FORMERLY FROM WINONAEileen Avis Krage, 96 of Houston and formerly from Winona, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 16, 2015.Eileen was born at home on the family farm in Money Creek on March 15, 1919. She was the 2nd youngest of 8 children born to Alfred and Sena (Henderson) Nelson. After graduating from Houston High School in 1937, Eileen attended La Crosse Business School. She was introduced to Albert Krage when he sat down next to her at a restaurant downtown. They were married on October 26, 1944 and farmed together for a few years as newlyweds. Eileen and Albert relocated to Winona in the 1950's and she was primarily a homemaker as well as a caretaker for her brother's mother-in-law. After Al passed away in 2004, Eileen moved back to the Houston area. When she lost everything she had in the flood of 2007, Eileen moved next door to her niece, Barbara.The "Queen of Repurposing," Eileen found a second purpose for everything, from twist ties to bread bags to oatmeal boxes. She was health conscious, meticulously organized, considerate of others, and very generous. She enjoyed the weekly newspaper crossword puzzle and watching Jeopardy, answering the questions before most of the contestants.She is survived by her niece and goddaughter, Barbara Burroughs of Houston; great-nieces, Kari (Kevin) Deters of Coon Rapids and their daughter, Rachel Deters, Amber (Gerrad) Eide of Rushford and their children Emma, Chealsy, and Hilary Eide, and Brooke (Scott Sanders) Benson of Sparta and their son, Neil Sanders. Eileen is also survived by many more nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Albert; infant daughter, Lois; all her brothers and sisters; and many in-laws.A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1-2 p.m., Sunday, June 21, 2015 at the Stone Church in rural Houston. Graveside service led by Reverend Lane Zaffke will begin at 2 p.m. at Stone Church Cemetery with a reception following.Please share a memory of Eileen and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/605548