Elsie Krause passed on from this world on Thursday, June 5th, 2025 in Rochester, MN at the age of 89.

She has been a resident of Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester, MN for the past year. Prior to that she spent her whole life in rural Prairie Farm, WI. Elsie was born on June 7th, 1935, to Bertina (Mickelson) and Hans Nordby, who preceded her in death. Her husband Bud, son Joel, an older sister Lorraine Peterson and a sister-in-law Opal Harstad also preceded her in death. On May 26th, 1956, Elsie married Walter “Bud” Krause at West Akers Lutheran Church. They had three children-Melody (Jim) Hanson (1957), Bonnie (David) Wichman (1961), and Joel Krause (1962-2001). She has two grandchildren-Hannah Bennett and Hans Marske and two great grandchildren-Brylie and Braelynn Bennett.

She is also survived by sister-in-law Ruby Hinzman and 2 step-granddaughters, Jennifer Christensen and Linsey Bosl and their children. Elsie graduated from Prairie Farm High School at the age of 16. She went on to Teacher’s College at UW-River Falls and earned a two-year teaching degree. She began teaching at small rural schools including Maple Grove at 18. When Bonnie and Joel were born, she stayed at home to care for them. She also contributed significantly to the farm work. After a few years she was hired to teach at Woodland Elementary School in Barron. She was back in her element and also began teaching part time as a music teacher in Prairie Farm. She had a chance to teach in the 3rd grade full-time at Prairie Farm but needed a four-year degree to do so. In the early 1970’s, she went back to UW-River Falls and finished her bachelor’s degree in elementary education while working full-time and farming.

Elsie was a talented vocalist who was in high demand to sing at weddings and funerals. She directed various church choirs and enjoyed teaching Sunday School. She also served as a church deacon at United Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm. She loved being a part of Sweet Adelines and singing in quartets. For several years she was the director of The Hay River Harmony choir. Other hobbies included hosting singing circles and attending and hosting book clubs. She was always up for a game of Scrabble. For several years Elsie was a contributor to the local paper, The Hay River Review. She loved interviewing people and introducing them to the community through her thoughtful and interesting articles. Elsie was an active member of the Dovre Lodge of the Sons of Norway. She loved wearing her Bunad and demonstrating articles of interest from Norway at various schools and functions. She visited Norway with her beloved cousin, Clarice Sprengler, soon after her retirement.

Elsie and Clarice traced their family genealogy through their grandfather back several generations. They did not have computers or genealogy software to help; it was all done with pen and paper. Elsie received many accolades for her teaching, including Teacher of the Year. She loved her students, who she referred to as her kids. After her retirement, she rearranged the upstairs of her farmhouse to accommodate any children who wanted to be tutored. She loved beauty in all forms, especially flowers. From the wildflowers she picked in the woods for her May wedding to the Hollyhocks that surrounded her house, her life was filled with flowers.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday July 5th, 2025 at United Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm with Rev. Sara Feld officiating. A luncheon will be served, and interment will immediately follow the lunch at West Akers Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of New Haven, rural Prairie Farm. Visitation will be held for the hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Dallas and Cameron.

Last Update: Jun 16, 2025 7:37 am CDT