Krause Funeral Homes Blog

Cars have changed and so have traffic rules. Krause Funeral Homes invites you to learn more about the new rules of the road as well as defensive driving techniques, tips on navigating problem situations and how to use anti-lock brakes and air bags. The class is taught by a certified AARP instructor who charges $14 per person ($12 for AARP members).

To learn more or RSVP stop by, call or drop us an email. Click here for contact information.

Albert Einstein, one of the best know and most influential scientists, was born 131 years ago this Sunday. He was awarded a Nobel Prize, founded the major concepts of modern Physics and made hundreds of scientific contributions that are so complex that most of us do not fully understand their meaning. He was, and still is, a part of pop culture. The name "Einstein" and depictions of his distinctive wild hair and wide-eyed look are often synonymous with "genius."

According to a 1939 article in The New Yorker he became so popular that he was often stopped on the street and asked for an explanation of "that theory.” He eventually figured out a creative way to end those conversations by replying “Pardon me, sorry! Always I am mistaken for Professor Einstein.”

Einstein changed how Physicists used time in theories. Among other things, "that theory" Einstein was incessantly asked about postulated a new way of thinking about space and time–as two aspects of a unified whole.

Funeral Directors are also often asked about timing. Many ask "how many days after the death of a loved one should a funeral take place"? We’re not sure how Einstein would have responded, but at Krause Funeral Homes we’ve been answering that question for over 75 years.

Some religious guidelines dictate that services take place as soon as possible after a death starting with a purification ceremony or by praying and watching over the deceased. For other cultures, it is customary to wait a week or more. For many, there are no guidelines.

While natural instinct pushes us to have a funeral soon after a death occurs, we see a dramatic difference between families who rush to plan and complete a funeral in a few days and those who take more time to consider how to celebrate their loved ones’ lives.

With at least 100 details to coordinate, families who take the time to think through decisions are able to plan meaningful funerals and they themselves seem more relaxed.

Whether a funeral is planned in a day or a week, Krause Funeral Homes’ expert directors will help create a one-of-a-kind service that truly reflects the personality and interests of your loved one. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”

Contact us for more information.

School kids around the world celebrate all things Dr. Seuss today, as he was born on this date 106 years ago. Kids will don funny accessories to emulate the Cat in the Hat, dine on delicacies like Green Eggs and Ham and hopefully read a famous tale or two as part of Read Across America, an initiative created by the National Education Association. Dr. Seuss, whose given name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, was known as a jokester and for his unique use of funny animals as reading enticements.

Why the Nom de Plume?

In college at Dartmouth, Geisel was editor-in-chief of a humor magazine. After being caught drinking gin with friends (which violated national prohibition laws at the time), he was asked by school administrators to quit all extracurricular activities. Geisel did not want to give up writing for the humor magazine that he so loved and instead began signing his work with the pen name “Seuss.”

Silly Seuss

Milwaukean Stacy Sullivan reports that her grandfather, Stanton Kinnie Smith from Rockford, Illinois, knew Geisel at Dartmouth. Her grandfather shared stories of how Geisel was a practical joker. He liked to go to a park near campus, probably to sketch the animals he would later create caricatures of. One day, a police officer blew his whistle and accused Geisel of stealing public property–Geisel was carrying a bench out of the park. He surprised the accusing officer by asking him to examine the underside of the bench. After inspection, the officer learned he’d been duped–Geisel owned the official park bench replica carried it with him as a joke.

Thing One and Thing Two Are Not All Fun and Games

A May 1954 Life magazine report on illiteracy concluded that children were not learning to read because their books were boring. A list of 250 words important for first-graders to recognize was created. Geisel was hired to write a book “that children can’t put down”–using only those words. Geisel turned to humor, animals and trisyllabic meter. Nine months later, The Cat in the Hat was created using 236 of those words. Some say it is the most popular “beginning to read” book ever published.

The Power of Animals

Geisel’s love of animals probably stems from growing up as a zoo superintendent’s son. He often sketched the animals entrusted to his father’s care, but added twists not usually found in nature. It is reported that he liked to add body parts to his animals–an extra tail or limb–even at a young age. In all of Geisel’s children’s books, crazy-looking animals are featured. Their wacky twists make kids laugh, smile and want to read on. But they also often model traits like dedication and love. He knew the power that animals have on kids and used it to teach kids to read.

Krause Funeral Homes knows that children often respond well to animals too. We offer dove & butterfly releases that can signify the end of the funeral or the circle of life.

Oliver, Krause Funeral Homes’ trained, on-staff therapy dog, is a hit with children; and for many, petting or hugging Oliver has a calming effect and triggers happy memories. He is a hypoallergenic Portuguese Water Dog and has completed Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog training. In addition to attending funerals, Oliver often visits hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and children’s facilities as a community service. His presence at funerals is optional and free of charge.

While Oliver can’t comfort or teach with words, he can help break the ice, create a needed diversion and draw people out.

In the words of Dr. Seuss: “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

Click here for additional information on children and funerals or to contact us.