Elaine Krause

Elaine Vera Krause, age 85 of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2023. Elaine was born September 30, 1937, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Ben and Vera (Swanson) Sonmore. 

Elaine was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She moved to Ronneby, Minnesota where she met her husband, Donald W. Krause, they married in 1953. Donald completed his military service in 1956 and they moved to Babbitt, Minnesota. They had four children and when they started school, Elaine began working at the local grocery store as a bookkeeper. After several years, she accepted a position with the City of Babbitt as City Treasurer. Due to Donald's disabilities, they decided to move to Downey, California in 1976. Elaine started working in retail and shortly after she opened her own baby clothing store. Years later she went to work for Downey Community Hospital and ran the billing department. Donald passed away in 1990. After Elaine retired, she enjoyed traveling with her brothers, sister, and children;which included frequent trips to the casino. She spent many years caring for family members, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved attending church, listening to all types of music, baking, and crocheting blankets for family and friends. Elaine moved into her very own apartment in Forest Lake at Birchwood Arbors Assisted Living in 2018. She was a devoted wife, dedicated mother, proud grandmother, and great grandmother. Elaine leaves behind her legacy of lifelong friendships and cherished memories. Special thanks to the staff at Birchwood Arbors and AccentCare Hospice for their excellent care and guidance.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; sister, Jan Rhoda; brother, David Sonmore. She is survived by her four children, Gary Krause, Terry Krause, Diane Henry, and Vicky Aho; 12 grandchildren, Donald (Tiffany) Krause, Nicole Krause, Kelly (Gary) Neil, Chad Krause, Craig, Ryan and Brandon Aho, Tracy (Steven) Rouse, Angela (Jim) Lucas, Steven (Tara) Henry, Tera and Brittany Krause; great grandchildren, Tyler, Trever, Michael Krause, Zach and Kyle Neil, Alan Goldsworthy, Michael, Rachael and Jacob Aho, Kristyn and Aedan Aho; brothers Robert (Fran) Sonmore and Dan (Debbie) Sonmore; many other relatives and dear friends.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.