Kit Carson County, Colorado
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Kit Carson County Pioneers:
John W. and Lillie (Wortmann) Krause, 7 South 51 West
John William Krause was born July 15, 1886 at Martinsburg, Nebraska.
In 1900 Washington County, Nebraska, John Krause, born March 1886 in Nebraska, is with August 6 and Wilhelmine 55, both born in Germany. Mary 18, Emma 16, John 14, Gertrude 12, an Walter 9 were born in Nebraska.
Lillie Wertman might be the servant in 1900 Logan County, Illinois, born March 1884 in Illnois, with Fred 43 adn Emma Trapp 43 and theirr five kids.
There's a Henry Wortman 57 in 1900 Logan County, with Betty 48, both born in Germany. Betty has had eleven kids nine living. Five are with them, Emiel 17, Fred 13, Selma 10, Martin 8, and Albert 6.
Henry 1849-1941 is buried in Lincoln County # 171340242,
with Bertha 1850-1930 # 171340235.
Lillie Wortman, 29, and John W. Krause, 27, married in Kit Carson County on June 22, 1913
Lillie claimed two quarters in sections 23 and 24, 7S 51W in 1915.
John Krause proved up a tract in section 5, 8S 50W, Kit Carson County in 1914.
Lillie claimed two quarters in section 23 and 24, 7S 51W in 1915.
Thanks to the Krause Family
In 1930 Pierce County, Nebraska,
John is farming 43, with Lillie 46, Elmer 15 born
in Colorado, Milton 10 and Elson 7 in Nebraska.
In 1940 Pierce County, Nebraska, John Krause is 53,
born in Nebraska, Lillie 56 in Illinois, with son Elden 17 born in Nebraska.
John Krause 1886-1981 is buried in Pierce County # 37609097,.
Lillie Krause 1884-1967 is also buried there # 37609088.
ELDEN
Elden E. Krause 1922-1989 is buried in Pierce County # 171899502.
Elden was born Sept 2, 1922 at Tekamah, Burt County, to John Krause and Lillian Wortman.
MILTON
Milton J. Krause 1919-1979 is buried in Travis County,
Texas # 11483670 - "dying Plainview, Nebraska"
Vergie May (Nelle) Krause 1920-2003 is buried with him # 11483590.
ELMER
Elmer 1914-2017 # 182850542.
"Elmer Albert Krause, the first of three sons,
was born in a sod house on June 19, 1914,
to John and Lillie (Wortman) Krause on the family
homestead near Flagler, Colo. He was the first baby
baptized in the Flagler Lutheran Church.
In 1915, his family moved to his grandparents,
August and Henrietta Krause's farm north of Plainview.
The family then moved to Tekamah in 1920, returning to Plainview permanently in 1925, after purchasing the Krause farm. Elmer attended country school through sixth grade walking 1-¼ miles each way. He then rode a horse to Zion Lutheran School for his seventh and eighth grade education and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in 1928.
After graduating from Plainview High School in 1932, he farmed with his father during the depression years. In 1936, unable to find jobs locally, Elmer and several friends headed west, working as farm laborers in Utah, Idaho and Washington. He worked for a short time as a railroad section crewman, earning enough money to buy his first car, a 1928 Model A Ford.
Elmer returned home to Plainview in 1938 to help his dad farm.
On June 1, 1941, he married Gertrude Louise Weber at the Zion Lutheran parsonage. Elmer and Gertrude first farmed northeast of Breslau, where their lives were blessed by the birth of a daughter, Ellen Louise. In March 1943, they purchased and moved to their own farm two miles north of Plainview. The next year they were again blessed when a son, Vernon Eugene, was born.
Elmer and Gertrude continued operating their farm and eventually purchased his parents' farm, as well as additional quarters. Owning his own farm was Elmer's life's dream. He once stated that “My concern has always been preserving the fertility of the soil and preventing erosion.” He was a true steward of the land and loved caring for all types of livestock, planting and harvesting crops. In addition to farming, Elmer enjoyed going to farm sales and cattle auctions. In 2001, he and Gertrude were proud recipients of the 100-year Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award for his parents' farm.
After moving from their farm into Plainview, Elmer and Gertrude traveled and enjoyed keeping up on the lives and activities of their family. They were able to attend many of the baptisms, school activities, graduations and weddings of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Elmer was a faithful servant of the Lord and an active member of Zion Lutheran Church throughout his life, serving in many capacities through the years. In 2006, Elmer and Gertrude celebrated their 66th anniversary.
Gertrude passed away suddenly in 2008. Elmer continued to live independently in their Plainview home, helping out on the farm and caring for Gertrude's rose garden. Shortly before his 101th birthday, he fell and suffered a severe hip fracture and became a resident at Community Pride Care Center under the expert care of Dr. Brad Lockee.
Elmer remained physically active in farming well into his late 90s. Through his son, Vernon, and loyal renter, Marty Grant, he continued until his final days to be involved with the decision making and business end of farming. In 2015, he was blessed with two great-great-grandchildren, identical twin boys born to his first great-grandchild, Amber (Jacoby) and her spouse, Tyler Martin of Lancaster, Pa. He not only got to meet them, but hold them and tell them of his love for them as he had done with each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they were babies.
While at Community Pride, he was able to actively participate in the celebration of his 101st, 102nd and 103rd birthdays, personally welcoming and thanking all in attendance.
Elmer was preceded in death by his spouse, parents, two brothers and numerous other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Ellen (Bill) Kurzenberger of Bassett and their four children, Kim (Paul) Jacoby of Lancaster, Pa., Kami (Gary) Depue of Fremont, Karen (Randy) Lienemann of Omaha and BJ (Alicia) Kurzenberger of Omaha; his son, Vernon (Tama) Krause of Norfolk and their two children Deanna (Edward) Kramer of Woodbury, Minn., and Angela Krause of Norfolk; as well as 19 great- grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three very special friends, Joe Grosserode of Oakdale and Lee Alexander and Ken Stelling, both of Plainview, whose visits along with those of Pastors Leckband and Bucklew meant so much to him while at Community Pride.
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