Maurice Herman Krause

Mike Krause passed away on the 9th of January 2026, surrounded by family and his extended family of the residents of Woodland Terrace Senior Living center in Cary, North Carolina. Mike’s wife of 68 years, Dorothy, passed away in May 2025. Mike is survived by his son Lincoln (Margaret) and daughter Maureen (Bill Horak), and his grandchildren Matthew and Michael Krause and Kay Horak, and a great-grandson John Krause. In addition, he is survived by a brother, Neil, of Post Falls, Idaho.

Mike was born on 31 October 1934. He grew up in a family of eight brothers and a sister in the small town of Wahpeton, North Dakota. He joined the Army in 1953. He became a paratrooper and served in the 101st Airborne Division. Mike was selected for officer candidate school (OCS) and subsequently made the Army his home.

In 1956, Mike married Dorothy, who came from the neighboring town of Breckenridge, Minnesota. Together, the couple successfully navigated 26 years of Army life, including numerous relocations and long separations while raising two children. Mike’s military assignments included Fort Campbell, Kentucky: Germany; New York; Fort Wolters, Texas; Nebraska; Korea; the Pentagon in Virgina; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He also served with distinction in Vietnam.

Mike’s military commendations included the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Senior Parachutist Badge.

After retiring from the Army, Mike made a second career in business, including founding a safety consulting firm. He was a lifetime handyman and a self-taught carpenter and furniture maker. Mike wasn’t happy unless he was working on something or solving a problem.

Mike and Dorothy found a second family at Woodland Terrace in Cary, where he was active in community life, including the Resident’s Board. He and Dorothy were members of Macedonia Methodist Church in Cary.

A visitation will be held Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at 12:15 PM at the Macedonia United Methodist Church, 2700 Jones Franklin Rd, Cary, NC 27518. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 PM, with Military honors to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Macedonia Methodist Church of Cary, NC or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Krause family.