Ethelyn Krauss

Ethelyn  (aka ‘Lyn) Krauss, 101, a long time resident of Monroe County, died on November 30, 2022 after rehabilitation from a fall.

Ethelyn was born to Danish immigrants near Greenville, Michigan on a farm consisting of 7 dairy Holstein dairy cows, 2 Percheron work horses, several pigs and Buff Orpington chickens which lay brown eggs. Her father was a farmer, who grew potatoes, oats, alfalfa, corn and wheat.  At 5 years old, she walked 1 1/2 miles to a one room country school house till the 8th grade. Then she walked 1/4 mile, hitched a ride with a shoemaker and then walked another 3/4 mile to attend her high school.  In her class of 85, she was salutatorian and graduated in 1939. Unable to afford further education, she worked as a housekeeper for a year, receiving room and board plus $7 a week which she saved so she could attend Grand Rapids Junior College and then Blodgett Hospital Nursing School for 2 additional years.  She worked as a surgical RN, then joined the Army Nurse Corp in May 1944.  She married Herbert Krauss and together they raised 4 children, living in Pennsylvania and Illinois before finally retiring to Rochester, NY.  She is known for her love of family and nature, her long history of volunteering, caring and helping others in her community.  She was active in various Lutheran churches, the church quilters guild for veterans, and had many interests including gardening, cooking and baking, making jam and bird watching.  She had a keen, sharp mind and followed politics and current affairs up till the time of death.

Ethelyn is survived by her 2 sons, Stephen Krauss (Kathleen) of Rochester NY and Keary Krauss of Denver Colorado, and her daughter, Kirsten Krauss of Great Falls, Montana, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Ethelyn is preceded in death by her husband Herb and one son, Herb Krauss;  also 3 brothers, Richard, Douglas and Clayton, her parents, numerous aunts and uncles and other relations in the Danish community of Greenville Michigan.  Thanks to friends, Penfield neighbors and Webster Immanuel Lutheran Church friends for their support in these last few years.

A memorial service will be planned in the spring of 2023.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to National Audubon Society or American Bird Conservancy.

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