Theon Kraske

Published 12:00 am Monday, October 20, 2008

Theon H. Kraske, 86, of Austin died Oct. 18, 2008, at her home, The Cedars of Austin.
Theon “Toots” Kraske was born Aug. 31, 1922, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Bennett and Alma Hoidal. Her father and his brothers owned a farm implement dealership in Albert Lea and during the Great Depression they moved from town to the family farm where she attended Bancroft rural school. Theon loved life on the farm, riding horses, playing in the pastures and orchard with her brother John “Bud” and sister Audrey. She occasionally even enjoyed milking the cows daily.
The family moved back into town when Theon started high school and that’s when she caught the eye of her neighbor Orion “Big” who she eventually married on April 10, 1945. She started her career in 1939 at KATE radio in Albert Lea where she worked until 1945 when she moved to Austin and worked for the Mower County Draft Board and US Employment Office.
After the birth of her two sons, John and Mark, she returned to work in 1959 as the principal’s secretary for 27 years at Ellis Junior High School until her retirement in 1986.
Theon and Big loved to dance and they fox trotted in every ballroom from Minneapolis to Chicago and back over the years. She was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and enjoyed the fellowship of that community. Theon was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bud who died a much decorated soldier during World War II, her sisters Audrey and Mollie, and her loving husband of 60 years, Orion.
Survivors include her sons John Kraske and Lisa Garner of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Mark (Patte) Kraske of Stillwater; five grandchildren: Sid (Beth), Josh, Emma, Daniele, and Matt; great grandson Hudson; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ron Barnett officiating. Interment is at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends and family may call on Tuesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and for one hour before the service at the church.
Memorials to St. Olaf Lutheran Church or the Austin Medical Center Hospice Program.