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C. E. Krause, 69, Died Here March 20th

Vice President of Korshoj Firm Was Once City Clerk

Clifford E. Krause, long-time Blair resident who has led an active life in both business and sports, died at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair last Monday. The 69 year-old Blairite had been ill for several months.

Clifford Esmond Krause was born December 26th, 1891 at West Point, Nebraska. His family moved to Blair when he was but four years of age and this has been his home ever since.

He attended the Blair schools and developed into an enthusiastic sports fan especially baseball and he became known over a wide area for his ability as a player.

Following his school days he worked for a time in a number of Blair stores and in 1913 he was married to Minnie Struve who survives him.

He worked for a time with the Bell Telephone Company both at Blair and in South Dakota and also with the Chicago St. Paul and Minneapolis railroad.

Later he became City Clerk and head of the city’s utility system, a post which he held for many years. During this time, the utilities made rapid growths as did the town which it served and he was instrumental in bringing about many improvements and additions to the utilities systems.

During this time he carried on an active interest in the affairs of the Blair Fire Department, serving for a number of years as Fire Chief and later as President of the Department. He was in charge of the city’s utilities when the first municipally-owned ice plant went into operation and this filled a long-sought need for householders who had not yet availed themselves of electric refrigeration

In 1943 he became associated with the Korshoj Construction Co. of Blair and he was Vice President of the Corporation at the time of his death.

During his entire life he held an active interest in baseball, although it possibly reached its peak in 1926 when Blair baseball fans decided to hold a “Duck Krause Day”. At that time his fans presented him with a 21-jewel watch upon which was engraved “From the fans to Duck.” The watch remained one of his prized possessions throughout his life.

Following his days as a player, he continued on as a manager and through this activity he gained many acquaintances and friends.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Blue Lodge, the Commandry and Royal Arch Masons. He was a member of the Episcopal church.

Funeral services are being held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at St. Mary’s Episcopal church with the Rev. Sam Elliston conducting the services. Burial, under the direction of the Bendorf Funeral Home will be made in the Blair Cemetery.

Pall bearers are Hugh J. Cooke, Orval Scheffler, Harry Walker, Alfred O. Sick, Emmett Rounds and E. Mark Beaty.

#2 Funeral Folder:

In Memory Of Clifford Esmond Krause

December 26, 1891 Westpoint, Nebr. March 20 1961 Blair, Nebr.

Services At St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Thursday, March 23, 1961—2:00 P.M.

Officiating Rev. Sam Elliston

Music By Mr. G. L. Dixon, Sr. Soloist; Mrs. Ross Deets Organist

Ushers Fritz Wolff; Bernie Lundt

Pallbearers Orval Sheffler; Harry Walker; Hugh Cooks; Emmett Rounds; Mark Beaty; Al Sick

Concluding Service Blair Cemetery

Like a ship that’s left it’s moorings and sailed bravely out to sea.
So someone dear has sailed away in calm serenity.
But there is a promise of a greater joy than earth could have I store.
For God had planned a richer life beyond the unseen shore.

~~~ Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave #75615150