Larry Joseph Krause, 84, died on January 14, 2025 in Springfield. He was born December 23, 1940 in Petersburg, Nebraska, to John and Rose Krause.

After graduating from high school, he served in the Air Force for four years, stationed in the Philippines. Later he obtained a Bachelor’s degree at Wayne State College and a Master’s Degree at Chadron State College in Nebraska. He worked for nine years in education, first as a high school teacher and later as school principal. In 1976, he moved to Springfield, MO and began working as a claims representative for the Social Security Administration, where he worked until he retired in 1999. While working at SSA, he met his wife Marie, and they were married in May of 1980.

Larry had a great sense of humor and endless positivity. He was best known for “dad jokes” and for being the one always singing in the break room on coffee breaks in the office. He was very involved with his children, Mary and Eric, coaching baseball and attending all sporting and music events. As a family, they travelled to many National Parks, with Yellowstone being Larry’s favorite for repeat visits. In later years, he especially cherished spending time with his granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers John, Robert, Myron, and Carrol, and his sisters Arlene Brazie, Donna Foster, Margie Umhauer, and Veronica Levos.

He is survived by his wife Marie, daughter Mary, son Eric and wife Kelly, his grandchildren Cecilia and Evelyn, siblings Jerry Krause and Dolores Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 20 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Springfield, with a visitation at 10:00, followed by mass at 11:00. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Immaculate Conception Church.