Rollie was born in Milwaukee on March 18, 1933, to Max and Savera Krause. He graduated from Boys Tech High School with an interest in electronics. He was hired by American Can Company and received an apprenticeship as an electrician, then attended Waukesha Vocational School and graduated as a Journeyman Electrician. He then worked as an electronic repairman at the company for 32 years, as well as becoming a Union Steward there. Later he studied for and received his Master Electrician’s License.
In 1956, he married the love of his life, Kathleen “Kay,” at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and started a family soon afterward. Rollie enjoyed working on projects at home, was extremely mechanically inclined and could repair almost anything, an ability that he spent time teaching to his sons. After retirement, Rollie helped his son Michael in his construction business doing a variety of detail and finish work on new houses and condos.
Early on, Rollie enjoyed building scale model slot cars and racing them at a local indoor track. He won numerous trophies for first place, best lap times, and best scratch built model cars. He also had a passion for bowling and was on various bowling leagues over the years, winning many trophies. Rollie owned a number of motorcycles and enjoyed riding them for many years, and also became involved in amateur car racing, frequently racing his Mazda RX7 with a local racing club. He also took up the hobby of flying RC airplanes and was an active member of the local Flying Electrons and the Lakeland RC Club and also the Sarasota RC Club in Florida.
What he loved most of all was spending time at home or at his lake cottage in Wautoma with family or working on projects. Many wonderful summer days were spent together with Kay and his family up at the lake. Later on, he and Kay purchased a condo in Florida and enjoyed a number of winters there.
Roland passed away peacefully on March 22, 2019. He will be missed by his wife Kay; sons Michael (Dawn), Kevin (Debra), and Robert (Craig) Krause; grandchildren Michael, Jr, Kathleen, Kristopher (Kara), Klarissa, and Braedon Krause; great-grandchild Nicholas Krause; and sister Betty Guddeck. He is also loved by other family and friends.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Legacy Assisted Living for their compassionate and outstanding care of Rollie.
A Memorial Gathering will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin, on Friday, April 12, 2019, from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM. Memorial Service at 12:00 PM.
Memorials appreciated to Alzheimer’s Association.