Elmer A. Krause

Elmer Krause, 103 years old, entered into his eternal rest peacefully with his daughter by his side on August 10, 2017 at Community Pride Care Center in Battle Creek. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor C. Brian Bucklew at Zion Lutheran Church, Plainview, NE, Friday, August 18, 2:00 pm. Visitation precede the funeral services at the church from noon until the service time. Interment will be at Pleasant View Cemetery.


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, Colorado. 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 parent’s 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 parent’s 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 nineties. 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 husband 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, numerous other relatives and friends. He is survived by his daughter Ellen (Bill) Kurzenberger of Bassett, NE; 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, MN and Angela Krause of Norfolk as well as nineteen 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 of Plainview whose visits along with those of Pastors Leckband and Bucklew meant so much to him while at Community Pride.

Memorials will be designated by the family.