Laila Karlstrom Krause

Laila K. Krause, 78, died Monday, May 8, 2023 at her home in Carolina Shores, North Carolina. She was an adored and adoring mother and grandmother, a retired banking executive and leadership coach, and widow of Thomas G. Krause, the love of her life.

Laila was born April 12, 1945 in Poughkeepsie, New York to Finnish immigrants Irma Silva Karlstrom and Henrik Mikael Karlstrom. She spent her early childhood in Swampscott, Massachusetts, Finntown in Brooklyn, New York, and Margate, New Jersey. She graduated Atlantic City High School in 1963 and Upsala College in 1967.

Laila loved life, family, and adventures. She often said that Tom taught her to find joy in every day. She loved to travel and host large holiday parties, but she reveled in the little moments: shared laughs, family meals, petting her Jessie dog, lazy boat rides on the river. Laila was gentle, generous, good spirited, and sharp witted. She was legendary for her many tearfully funny, self-deprecating stories of clumsy accidents and social mishaps.

Laila was deeply curious and a prolific reader, especially of novels and history. She was a wizard at word games and overly complicated card games. In retirement, she played progressive rummy or Five Crowns with her sister almost every day. She liked to play almost as much as she loved to win. Tough in spirit, Laila had what the Finns call ‘sisu’. Regardless of the setbacks in life, she moved forward with strength and determination and without an ounce of self pity.

Laila was an achiever with unparalleled drive, stamina, and determination. She had a very successful career in the financial services sector, including 33 years with PNC Bank, where she retired as Executive Vice President of Retail Banking. She had previously served as Regional President and led several business segments. Her career took her from the New Jersey shore to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, and Cleveland. She received numerous awards, accolades, and recognition over the years.

Laila had a lifelong passion for helping others achieve their potential. An incredible communicator, she was able to describe a future people could see themselves in and inspire them to become greater than they ever thought they could be. She took coaching and mentorship very seriously, particularly for professional women in the male-dominated field of banking. Through her leadership, she changed thousands of lives for the better. She wanted everyone she cared about to thrive: to find their unique strengths, identify paths to happiness, and enjoy their best lives. It’s not every mom that gifts her kids Don Clifton’s Strengthfinder books!

Laila is remembered by colleagues as intelligent, kind, trustworthy, and hardworking. She was someone who enjoyed life and could always be found laughing and telling a story – especially at the bar. With a cigar in one hand and a martini in the other, she would have everyone in fits. One vivid memory was of her walking around a meeting with a toilet seat around her neck after losing a sales contest to Tom Krause when they worked together down at the Jersey Shore. She could laugh at herself and let everyone in on it. Tom enjoyed her sense of humor so much that he married her.

Tom and Laila were inseparable for over 30 years, and married for almost 20. He passed away in September of 2021 from pancreatic cancer and Parkinson’s disease, just a few months before Laila was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. She is survived by her sons Michael Batz and wife Margaret Morse of Rock Island, Illinois and Robert Batz, and wife Katrin-Sophie of Vienna, Austria; her three grandchildren Elliot, Rory, and Ada; her sister and best friend Lisa Brennan and partner Michael Brown; her honorary granddaughter Lauren Albert; and her beloved Springer Spaniel Jessie.

Laila’s family would like to thank the medical teams at Cleveland Clinic and Novant Health, particularly Dr. Nathan Pennell, Dr. John Belle, Denise Dick, and Darren Ball, as well as her hospice team at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, and her home health aides, especially Marie and Tuesday.

No services will be held at this time, but the family will host a Celebration of Life at a future date.

Memorial donations may be sent to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, English Springer Spaniel Rescue, or the charity of your choice.