Patricia "Pat" Franklin Krause's Obituary
Patricia “Pat” Franklin Krause, 81, of Cordova previously of Germantown, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 10th. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
Pat was born in Dandridge (east TN) and raised in Calvert City, Kentucky. She graduated from North Marshall High School and attended the University of Kentucky. Following her time at the University of Kentucky, she attended business school and then moved to Memphis. She worked for many years at Bankers Life. In 1970, she married Gerald Lee Krause and became a full-time homemaker after the birth of her first daughter. When her daughters were older, Pat returned to work as an infant caregiver.
Pat found joy in the small moments of life, such as a homemade glass of sweet tea or the first blooms of the azaleas in spring. One of her favorite pastimes was musical theater, and she enjoyed local productions as much as Broadway shows.
Pat was a lifelong Methodist and was a member of Colonial Park United Methodist Church for 40-plus years. Pat lived her faith by serving others, either visiting homebound members, volunteering as a Sunday School teacher, or writing encouraging cards during a member’s illness. She especially enjoyed the fellowship with her small group and Sunday School classes.
Pat’s gifts were listening and being present. She was often described as kind, thoughtful, and non-judgemental. Pat embraced the true self of others, and in return her friends and family felt enough and understood. Pat had a steadfast love for her family, and she loved her daughters and grandchildren unconditionally. She showed her love for them by cooking their favorite meals and attending various extracurricular events. She touched many lives, and she will be deeply missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, Gerald Lee Krause, and her parents Edison and Mary Story and Pvt. Ardelle Franklin (died while serving during WWII).
She is survived by her daughters, Lee Ann Krause-Henry (Paul) of Friendswood, TX, and Kara Raburn (Gary) of Cordova, and 4 grandchildren: Jackson and Kaitlee Raburn and Anna and Harper Henry.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. A memorial service to celebrate Pat’s life will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 10:00 am at Colonial Park United Methodist Church. The family will have a private burial service at Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Colonial Park United Methodist Church’s Sunday School Renovations fund or Playhouse on the Square (https://playhouseonthesquare.org/how-to-support-us/donate/ )
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