Martha Ann Krum

Martha “Ann” (Deister) Krum, 92, of Colorado Springs, Colorado went home to be in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 27, 2024 with her daughter Kathy by her side.

Ann was born in Minneola, Kansas on May 10, 1931 to George and Grace Deister. She grew up in Dodge City, Kansas along with her older sister Mary. She graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in Leavenworth, KS in 1949. She attended Saint Mary’s College in Leavenworth, KS for one year.

She was married to the love of her life, Hank, for 45 years where they made their home together in The Dalles, Oregon. In the mid 1970’s, Hank and Ann, founders of Krum’s Family Kombo Dance Band, along with their children John, Kathy, and Rick, won First Place in Washington State Dance Band competition and in National Grange Musical Competition in 1977 in Greensboro, N. Carolina. In the mid 1980’s, Ann played the keyboard as a member of the White Salmon Jazz Band (WA) and Gorge Jazz Ensemble (WA) along with her husband (he played saxophone & clarinet). In 2000, they founded Jazz Generations Quartet featuring Hank and Ann, Bob Fiske and Dave Fretz. During this time Ann wrote the musical arrangements (piano, trumpet, saxophone/clarinet, trombone) for each member. Jazz Generations later became the Jazz Duo when Hank and Ann, as avid RV’ers, would head south for many winters to Pahrump, NV to perform for the park residents. While there, Ann also shared her talent and love of Dutch Embroidery, teaching many ladies the art of card making. Her other hobbies were painting various types of crafts, ceramics, knitting, and beach combing.

Ann’s faith, prayer life, and love of her family kept her strong throughout her life. She was very energetic and fiercely independent, even in her late 80’s, she was not shy about getting on a riding lawnmower to cut 5 acres of her grass. All throughout her life, she had a great sense of humor that all her children inherited from her legacy. Some of her favorite silly sayings to her children were “don’t let the bed bugs bite” (when it was bed time), “don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” (when we had to depart company), “go to bed you’re getting silly” (when her children would crack too many jokes), to name a few.

She is survived by her children; Beckie (Russ) Akers, Kevin (Robin) Duncan, Mary Clare (companion Dwight), John (Ronda) Krum, Kathy Watson, Rick (Kayleen) Krum, daughter-in law Jenny Duncan, 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary, husband Hank, son James “JD” Duncan and grandson Michael Akers.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Abode Hospice and The Lodge at Palmer Point for their great care and love they gave our mother. Charitable donations in Ann’s name can be made to The Lodge at Palmer Point (c/o Linda Murray) at 3205 Leslie Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 or Abode Healthcare at 5465 Mark Dabling Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.