Douglas E. Krause

September 25, 1940 — December 7, 2021

Douglas Emil Krause, 81, resident of North Bennington, VT died Tuesday December 7, 2021, at home, surrounded by family.

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 25, 1940, son of the late Alfredo and Alda (Knox) Krause.

Raised in Paoli, Pennsylvania, Doug received his secondary education at The Haverford School in Philadelphia and graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.

He married Marny Morris on June 13, 1970 in Stratton, VT and the two of them together raised a family and called the Bennington area home for 50 years.

As a newlywed, Doug owned and operated Dragon's Shoes in Bennington, then later managed Human Resources at Bennington College. Upon retiring from Bennington College, Doug pursued his true calling in the service of others: for the Bennington Rotary Club, as a Guardian ad Litem for the Bennington Courts, and for the Second Congregational Church.

Doug was a volunteer. He ran the Rotary Youth Exchange Program for many years, finding local homes for overseas high school students and placing Bennington students in homes abroad. He was a champion of the Rotary 4 Way Test and Student Speech Competition. Doug rang the bells for the HEAT Project during the holiday season and pitched in annually at the Antique Car Show and Garlic Fest. He was active in the Second Congregational Church as a Trustee, Treasurer, and one who was always willing to help.

Doug's Guardian Ad Litem work in the Bennington Court System was his passion of later years. He began working with children and progressed to serve older adults, who were often in nursing homes needing help with financial management and government paperwork. Sometimes he simply took them Christmas shopping, to visit a relative, or just for a drive in the fresh air.

Doug loved travel. He visited all 7 continents in the last 10 years of his life and enjoyed numerous sailing adventures in the Caribbean, often with friends and up to three generations of family. He particularly enjoyed camping on Lake George and climbing Black Mountain with kids and grandchildren; beach vacations on Nantucket watching the sun set, always with family; and kayaking with grandchildren. Despite pressing health issues, Doug travelled to Lake Tahoe in August for his eldest grand-daughter's wedding. He lived a profoundly full and energetic life. Nothing brought Doug more joy than festive gatherings of family and friends, a "wing-ding."

Ten years ago, Doug was diagnosed with cancer. He beat it back and forged ahead, yet the cancer returned in 2020. He fought tenaciously with amazing support from the good people at SVMC, Dartmouth Hitchcock, VNA/Hospice, and Transitional Nursing. Doug fulfilled his final wish by dying at home surrounded by loved ones. He lives on in the hearts and lives he touched.

Survivors include his wife, Marny Krause of North Bennington; daughters, Nancy Copeland of Lyme, New Hampshire, and Linda Hill of Hingham, Massachusetts; sons, Andrew Krause of St. Johnsbury, VT and Douglas Krause Jr. of Silverton, Colorado; grandchildren Sarah, Tyler, Myles, Ryan, Lily, and Jay; and beloved brother Bruce Alfredo Krause of Waldoboro, Maine.

A memorial service will be held at the Second Congregational Church in Bennington at a date to be announced later.

Contributions in memory of Douglas Emil Krause may be made to the Second Congregational Church through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201. Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net

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Douglas E. Krause

September 25, 1940 — December 7, 2021

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