Larry Krause

life story

Larry Krause was effervescent: lively, animated and enthusiastic. He could walk into a room and captivate anyone with his good humor, animation and sparkling cheerfulness. Sadly, Larry passed away June 10th at the Carefree Living Home in Silver Bay, where in the past months, he had gained a whole new fan base. They loved him there . . .for his effervescence!

A true local, Larry was born In Grand Marais July 11th, 1940, to Earl and Margaret Helmerson Krause. He had an older sister, Jean (Krause Lofgren). He attended Cook County schools and then the Brown Institute and Dunwoody in Minneapolis. An accident as a child left him visually handicapped but he was determined to become the best “one eyed carpenter” he could be. He succeeded! He first worked for Marty Clark, got more experience with Tim Mathisen and eventually went out on his own, with Krause Construction. He built over 40 homes in Cook County and they are known for their solidity and beauty. Not only did Larry get an education in the cities, but he also found a wife! He and JoAnn Markovich married in 1968 and moved back to Grand Marais where she became one of the school’s all time favorite teachers.

Larry and JoAnn got into Alaskan Malamutes big time! They started showing/ breeding dogs and became immersed in the process and circuit. In fact Larry jumped through all the hoops to become a licensed Northern Breeds Judge for National Specialties in the US, Austria and the Netherlands. Larry had “dog friends” all over the world . . . .think of it! Not only a one eyed carpenter, but also a one eyed breed judge!! He was a determined fellow throwing his handicap to the wind!

Larry used his north woods environment to the fullest. Chapter One: an early, pioneer type fascination with cutting wood and heating the house. Hard, strenuous work all day with friends followed by a beer or two and many laughs. Chapter Two: a deep connection with Lake Superior, boating and Isle Royal. Chapter Three: avid cross country skiing, always starting the season with a trip to Silverstar, British Columbia. This followed years of downhill skiing where people would watch in awe as he carved the hillside. Chapter Four: the 1995 purchase of an island on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake, where the cabin, the views, the paths, and the dock provided pure heaven to the couple. And they shared it, one time allowing a dog who was near her end, to spend a “Make A Wish” day on the island, safely running free to exhaustion.

Occasionally, though he was a very content Cook County resident, Larry DID get out of town. The aforementioned dog shows took him all around the US and to Europe. And then he got into biking! He and JoAnn biked all over Italy and Croatia.

Once they were nearing retirement, both Larry and JoAnn connected with Cook Count Search and Rescue. They first got involved with the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department when they lived on Poplar Lake. That turned into wider participation throughout the county as they supported the mission with their physical and mental presence.

From one of his former employees: when he saw something that did not meet his standards, he would say “What am I seeing here?” No harsh criticism, just his way of telling you that what you had done needed fixing. Or, if something was going very well, Larry would smile, and admire a bit of work and say “pretty near perfect”. Larry, like so many of us who worked with all kinds of clients, practiced a different kind of relationship. It was based on trust and honesty. If you said something you stood behind it, if you agreed to do something, it was often done on a handshake alone.

Larry’s best friends in life were Fred Derewenko, Pete Floe, (both deceased) and Denny Renkiewicz. And two favorite Malamutes, Chinook and Huey!

Larry is survived by his wife, JoAnn, nephew John Lofgren, and niece Lynn Lofgren Strosnider. They are all very appreciative of the wonderful care he received at Carefree Living in Silver Bay. The staff appeared to go out of their way to make Larry’s last few months as positive as possible. That effervescence was catching.

Not all of us will have children or grandchildren, but that does not mean we leave behind no trace of who we were.