Margaret Irene Krause, age 101, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.

The oldest of 13 children, Irene was born to Elmer "Tone" Watson and Daisy (nee Mitchell) Watson on Jan. 3, 1915, in Kouts and grew up on a farm. She graduated from LaCrosse High School. On Oct. 5, 1935, she married Leonard E. Krause, and they raised five children who survive: Leslie (Dorothy) Krause of Oakwood, Ga., Paul (Barbara) Krause of Laguna Niguel, Calif., James J. (Jane) Krause of Hobart, Donald (Joan) Krause of Palatine, Ill., and Ruth Ann Krause of Hobart.

Irene lived her Christian faith and set an example with her hard work, perseverance, resourcefulness and humility. She would encourage her children to "team up with God." She embodied kindness and generosity and espoused the Golden Rule. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," was one of the many sayings she shared with her children and grandchildren. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all," and "Actions speak louder than words," also were words to live by. God and family were her priorities, and she was most happy when she was surrounded by family. When you were around Irene, you felt her love.

Irene enjoyed cooking for her family, especially Sunday brunch. She was fiercely independent. After she was widowed, Irene maintained her home and garden and cut her own lawn well into her 90s. An accomplished seamstress, Irene made custom draperies for J.C. Penney for about 10 years, did alterations in her home and for years made her own clothes. She also taught herself to cut hair, starting with her siblings and continuing with her children and grandchildren. She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hobart.

In addition to her children, Irene is survived by 11 grandchildren: Michael Krause, Terri (Dan) McNeil, Steven (Laurie) Krause, Joshua (Tory) Krause, Julie Krause, Joel (Jannine) Krause, Nathan Wylie, Austin Krause, Lucas Krause, Garrett Burns and Grant Burns, and by six great-grandchildren: Daniel (Melissa) McNeil, Kelly (Jeff) Peledge, Erick McNeil, Kenzie Krause, Kynan Krause, and Makanda Kachin. Also surviving are a sister, Rose Merkel, and brother, Edward James (Evelyn) Watson, sister-in-law Deloris Watson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, on April 23, 1975, daughter-in-law Laura Krause, son-in-law Mark R. Burns, and 10 siblings: Mary May Whitcomb, Gerald Elmer Watson, David Ralph Watson, Evelyn Jane Whitaker, Goldean Elizabeth Personette, Lova Belle Watson, Charles Lindberg Watson, Josephine Ann Watson, Earl Martin Watson and Julian John Watson.

Memorial contributions preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church, Hobart, music department and soup kitchen ministries.

A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 900 Luther Drive, Hobart, the Rev. Gary Nagy, pastor emeritus, officiating. Visitation is 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016, at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Road, Hobart, (219) 942-2109 or go online to extend condolences at www.reesfuneralhomes.com. Burial at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso.