Jeanne Ronelle (Menard) Krause, 76, of Colfax, died September 11, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire. She was born December 21, 1941 in Columbus, WI, to Rosemary (Korger) Menard and John R. Menard, Sr. She graduated in 1959 from Regis High School and obtained her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 1963, where she majored in English and Spanish and minored in history. Her studies led her to Monterey, Mexico, where she lived with a family one summer while she attended the university. Jeanne married the love of her life, Ravn "Sam" Krause, on March 21, 1970, in Eau Claire. They raised their daughter, Jennifer, on their farm in the Town of Wheaton where they also had a herd of beef cattle. Jeanne was the first office manager for Menard's. In 1969, she began to work as office manager and accountant for her parent's Menard Farms, which became one of the largest dairy farms in the state during the 1970s. In 1988, she and Sam took over the farm's management and ownership. Jeanne was a 4-H leader with Sunny Valley 4-H in the Town of Wheaton and was fascinated with animals and nature. For more than 20 years, Jeanne's brownies took first place at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair where she also entered prize-winning flowers. She loved to sing, and was known as someone who knew all of the words to every song. Jeanne was an avid reader and never lost her love of learning. In 1997, Jeanne was diagnosed with an illness which claimed her mobility and balance, and caused many complications as time went on. Nonetheless, after every setback, Jeanne adapted a type of pioneer spirit to regain some movement and make her life and the lives of those around her as rich as possible. She is survived by her husband, Sam; her daughter, Jennifer (Klaus) Bauer, Elk Mound; brothers, John (Fay), Lawrence "Larry" (Dawn), and David (Bonnie), all of Eau Claire, and Mark (Laurel), Enumclaw, WA; sisters, Rosemary (David Wallace-Menard) Menard-Wallace, Show-Lo, Arizona; Suzanne "Suzy" Menard, Eau Claire, and Margaret "Maggie" (Tom) Menard-Mueller, Oak Creek, WI; and sister-in-law, Sandy Butterfield. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews and dozens of cousins. Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents. Jeanne will be remembered for her intelligence, sharp wit, love, strength in the face of adversity – and, of course, those brownies. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th St, Eau Claire, with Father Tom Krieg presiding. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2018, at the WEST CHAPEL of Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 1405 N Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, and again one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at McCombs Cemetery in the Town of Wheaton.

Service Information

Cemetery

McCombs Cemetery Town of Wheaton WI

Visitation

Monday, September 17 2018 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn West Chapel 1405 N. Clairemont Ave Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Tuesday, September 18 2018 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

St. James the Greater Catholic Church 2502 11th Street Eau Claire WI 54703

Mass

Tuesday, September 18 2018 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

St. James the Greater Catholic Church 2502 11th Street Eau Claire WI 54703