Gerhard Herbert Krause “Jerry”

Passed away peacefully on January 31, 2016, at the age of 87. Loving husband of Irene Krause. Charismatic father of Corinna Radigan, Pamela Krause Moore, Ramona Martina Krause. Grandfather of Austin Rene (Mike) Moore-Gotsch and Thomas Melbourne "Mel" Moore. Also loved by his nieces and nephews Birgit (Chuck) Koenig, Gerald Sawatzki, Linda (Randy Rodriguez) Hazen, Gary (Suzette) Krause, Nancy (Grant) Feest, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Martha, and his siblings, Wally (Bruno) Sawatzki and Edgar (Mary) Krause.

Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, on Saturday, February 6, 2016 from 11-12:30PM. Service at 12:30PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to the Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Foundation.

Gerhard was born on Aug. 21, 1928, in Liegnitz, Germany. He survived WWII and came to the US in the early 1950's, and served in the US Army during the Korean War. Gerhard was first married to Loni, then met and married Margot, with whom he had two children, Pamela and Ramona, and was father to Corinna. In 1977 he married Waltraud Rydholm and at the end of 1994, he married Irene Lampasiak, with whom he resided until his death.

Gerhard was always a consummate salesman, selling everything from pilfered hitler goods to stockings and later cars,which was his passion. He opened Import Motors on Douglas Ave. in Racine in the 1960's and then opened up Import Motors of Racine at a new location on Hwy 32 in the mid 1970's.

His zest in life revolved around Import Autos and selling; opening up the market to FIAT, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Volvo, SAAB and Subaru. He also had a Peugeot dealership at one time.

After his retirement, he moved to the Adams-Friendship area where he enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, planting. Jerry loved to travel to Europe, where he visited his daughters, and to sing in the Kenosha German Men's Gesang Verein, and eat European and other ethnic cuisine. In his last months he and Irene enjoyed being surrounded by grandchildren, friends, and family in the Milwaukee area.

He had a love of life and of people,kind, always joking, never serious, always with a smile, a laugh, and a story to tell. He enriched many lives and will be sorely missed.