Steve "Skunk" Krause

Steve “Skunk” Krause, 73, Oconto Falls, died Monday afternoon, June 30, 2025 at a Milwaukee area hospital following complications from heart surgery. The oldest of three sons born to Jim and Merle (Bitters) Krause was born May 23, 1952 in Oconto Falls. Growing up in the Town of Morgan in the third generation family cheese business, he learned how to work hard and how to treat people as well as to make good cheese. Steve attended St. Anthony Catholic School before graduating from Oconto Falls High School with the class of 1970. While in high school, he got the name “Skunk” because of his white 1965 Ford Galaxie with a black racing stripe. Skunk had many lifelong friends, classmates, co-workers and acquaintances who were always happy to see him.

On October 1, 1976 he married Kathy Hyland at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Oconto Falls. Steve was a cheesemaker in the family business for many years before becoming VP of cheese operations for Tosca Ltd. for 25 years. While with Tosca, Steve traveled all over the US where he made good friends with everyone he met. With a great smile, hearty laugh and amazing ability to tell stories, Skunk was a local legend who made others feel like he was their best friend. He was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Parish. Steve served as past president of the Finnegan Lake Walleye Club for many years and was the current president of the Kingdom Come Food Pantry.

Survivors are his wife of 49 years, Kathy Krause; their four children, Erika (Paul) Van Roy, Emily (Brad) Robinson, Adam (Amanda) Krause and Alyssa (Jeremy) Majors; he was a loving and dedicated “Papa” to seven grandchildren, Eddie, Bobby and Josephine Van Roy; Abraham Robinson; Clementine Krause; Reggie and Forrest Majors; two brothers, Chuck (Sylvia) Krause, Tucumcari, NM; Mike (Kriss) Krause; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Mike Hyland and Erin (Dean) Young; fondly remembered uncle to all his nieces and nephews along with other family and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Merle Krause, in-laws, Bob and Grace Hyland and aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be held 3:00 until 8:00 PM Sunday, July 6, 2025 at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls. Visitation will continue after 9:00 AM Monday, July 7, 2025 until the time of service. Mass of Christian Burial will take place 12:00 noon Monday at the church with the Rev. Fr. Tom Pomeroy officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Oconto Falls.

Because of Steve’s long association with Kingdom Come Food Pantry, memorials may be made to them at: 520 N. Locust Ave. Oconto Falls, WI 54154-1073

As Skunk was known to say: TAKE CARE MY FRIEND, BELIEVE