Elizabeth Louise Krause

KRAUSE, ELIZABETH MADISON-In the final race in her battle with cancer, Elizabeth Krause, age 48, crossed the finish line into the arms of Jesus, surrounded by her family, on Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, in Madison. She was born on Nov. 4, 1965, to Robert and Carol Krause, in Rhinelander. She was baptized into Christ as an infant, attended Zion Ev. Lutheran School, K-8, and confirmed in her faith on March 20, 1980. Beth graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1984, and Bethany Lutheran Junior College in Mankato, Minn., in 1986. She then attended UW-Madison where she received her teaching degree in elementary education. Beth taught in public school briefly and then accepted a call to teach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School, where she taught for 22 years until the time of her illness. Beth loved teaching and her students were her family. She was kind and loving to all she met and had friends from England, Germany, India and South Korea. Beth loved to travel and toured Italy with her high school Latin club. She practice taught in Peterborough, England, taught a year in the Czech Republic and participated in an archeological dig in Israel one summer. Beth also taught one summer in the Ukraine and visited Vietnam, Tokyo and Ireland. She enjoyed sports, but learned at an early age that basketball was not for her. She found her niche in running and biking. Beth competed in numerous marathons, including Chicago and Boston. She finished Madison Ironman four times in 2005, 2006, 2011 and 2013, finishing well in her age group. Beth is survived by her parents; and five siblings, Katherine (Jeff) Kroh of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and their children, Lydia, Danika, Elliana, Haley and Samara; Mary (Ken) Nofftz of LaCrosse, and their children, Devyn and Jacob Aschenbrenner and Jesse, Morgan, Jarett and Seth Nofftz; Lisa (Steve) Alsteen, and their children, Tanner and Tayler; Diane (Eric) Keller of Gilbert, Ariz.; and David (Davina) Krause, and their daughter, Alivia. She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents; an aunt, Dorothy Lehman; uncle, Edward Waterbury; and cousin, Michael Smith. Funeral Services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL, 2670 Milwaukee St, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, with Pastor Mark Bartels and Pastor Bernt Tweit officiating. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, and at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. A Memorial Service will also be held at ZION EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL, 160 N. Brown St., Rhinelander on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Internment will be held on Saturday following the service at Northland Memorial Park in Rhinelander. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who helped Beth, they were most loving and caring. Thank you to the many friends who encouraged and brightened her days with cards, texts and visits. In lieu of flowers, Beth’s wishes are for donations to be made to Holy Cross Building Fund or Bethany Lutheran College. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420