Verna Mae (Bartels) Krause

Verna Mae Krause, 91, went to be with the Lord, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, following hospice care at Cumbernauld Village in Winfield, KS.

Verna was born August 21, 1932 to Ervin and Lucille (Walters) Bartels in Wakefield, NE and spent her growing up years on the family farm. After graduating from nursing school in Sioux City, IA, she married Lutheran Pastor Dick Beardsley in 1957.  Shortly after their marriage, he was killed in a car accident. In 1963, Verna married Pastor Paul Krause, Lutheran Hospital and Institutional Chaplain in Sioux City, IA.  Paul and Verna moved to Winfield, KS in 1969 where at William Newton Memorial Hospital, Verna returned to nursing.  In Verna’s private life, she sewed costumes for Paul’s marionette ministry of telling Bible stories at Winfield State Hospital where Paul was chaplain. St. John College students were welcomed guests at their Mound Street home and were trained to assist in the marionette ministry. For years, Verna and Paul delivered Meals on Wheels, and also ministered to friends who were in hospice care.

Verna was known for her excellent cooking and baking and was always prepared when her big family would descend on their Mound Street home. In 2009, Paul and Verna moved to a Garden Home in Cumbernauld Village together, Verna and Paul focused their life of ministry to others. All five of their children and many of their grandchildren and great grandchildren have followed their example, either professionally or as volunteers, of Christian ministry and service.

Verna is survived by her five children, Jean Heise (Kent), of Hillsdale, MI, Tom Krause (Miriam) of Overland Park, KS, Karen Krause of Apple Valley, MN, Marcie Luna (Jeff) of Park City, KS and Alan Krause (Brenda) of Belleview, FL,17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

The Krause family is grateful to the Cumbernauld staff for their loving care and to David Scott, who has been a faithful friend for many years.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, August 16, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield, KS. Visitation will be held from 1-2 P.M. at Trinity Lutheran prior to services. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, donations may be left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.