Greta Mae Kraushaar, 78, of Austin, died on Dec. 31, 2008 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.
She was born March 25, 1930 in Parkersburg, W.V. to Carl and Christine (Reap) Smith. Greta Graduated from the Dunbar High School and served in the U.S. Navy. She was married to Robert G. Kraushaar in 1953; they later divorced. Greta graduated from St. Catherine's College with a bachelor of arts degree in social work. She was employed at the Mower County Veteran's Service Office until her retirement in 1998.
Greta was a very active resident of the Austin area. She served on many city and county boards, including the County Veterans Memorial Committee, the City Planning Commission, the Austin Municipal Airport, Mower County Planning and water policy advisory boards. She also held positions with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and the Minnesota Women Veterans Task Force. Greta was a member of the League of Women Voters, the American Legion, VFW Auxiliary, Zonta and the American Heart Association.
Greta is survived by her children, Sandra (Roger) Batt, Algona, Iowa, Beverly (Bruce) Baker, Kellogg, Minn., Theresa Kraushaar (Michael Eisenbarth), Morgan, Minn., Mary Hansen (Alex Moise), Brooklyn Center, Minn., Michael (Jenny) Kraushaar, Austin, Jane Byrne, Plymouth, Minn., Patricia (Earl) McLain, Maple Grove, Minn.; 18 grandchildren, Tony, Dustin, BJ, Brandon, Chad, Trevor, Eric, Grayson, Courtney, Isaac, Ethan, Caden, Nicholas, Nathan, Zachary, Christopher, McKenna and Rebecca; three great-grandchildren, Stacy, Shelby and Mellisa; sister, Libby Roberts, Falkville, Ala.;
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mary Francis Dunn.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
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Veterans' rights officer 'blazed a lot of trails'
1/2/2009
By Karen Colbenson
Post-Bulletin, Austin MN
Greta Kraushaar, a well-known advocate for women veterans' rights, will be remembered for her leadership and unfailing devotion to those in military service.
Kraushaar, 78, of Austin, died Wednesday at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
As the long-time Mower County veterans service officer, Kraushaar led a state task force in the 1990s focused on the national recognition of Minnesota's female veterans in the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
The memorial, built at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, salutes America's military women and contains a registry of names, photographs and individual stories of servicewomen. It is the only major national memorial honoring all servicewomen.
Kraushaar, a Navy veteran, spent years as head of the Mower County veterans office, counseling both male and female veterans on their entitlements.
Raised in West Virginia, Kraushaar had three uncles who served in the military and was known as a leader who was never afraid to take a position traditionally dominated by men.
Defying her mother's wishes, Kraushaar joined the Navy in 1951, the day after her 21st birthday. While in the service, she married a Navy officer, and the two had seven children.
Kraushaar and her husband eventually moved to Austin, where they farmed; they later divorced.
She was appointed to lead the state advisory task force on concerns for female veterans.
Friends reflect
Long-time friends of Kraushaar describe her as strong-willed and fearless with an extraordinary dedication to working on the behalf of others.
"She was one of the most intelligent women I had the good fortune to be around, and she definitely knew her own mind," said Sandy Thatcher Jarvis, of Austin.
Jarvis had known Kraushaar for more than 40 years.
"We were feminists together," Jarvis said, smiling. "She was a strong woman. She wasn't afraid to put her neck out there for the things she believed in. I hope she is remembered with gratitude. She blazed a lot of trails."
Jarvis said she will remember Kraushaar as a mentor and comrade.
"I hope everyone appreciates what she has done, and gives her the military honor she deserves."
Veteran Norm Hecimovich, who worked with Kraushaar on local veterans issues for several years, said the veterans service officer forerunner also was active in Spamtown Post, an American Legion post for women.
"Women were overlooked as veterans for many years," said Hecimovich. "She would take on issues; she would go to bat for people. She would take that stand for people."
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
She was born March 25, 1930 in Parkersburg, W.V. to Carl and Christine (Reap) Smith. Greta Graduated from the Dunbar High School and served in the U.S. Navy. She was married to Robert G. Kraushaar in 1953; they later divorced. Greta graduated from St. Catherine's College with a bachelor of arts degree in social work. She was employed at the Mower County Veteran's Service Office until her retirement in 1998.
Greta was a very active resident of the Austin area. She served on many city and county boards, including the County Veterans Memorial Committee, the City Planning Commission, the Austin Municipal Airport, Mower County Planning and water policy advisory boards. She also held positions with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and the Minnesota Women Veterans Task Force. Greta was a member of the League of Women Voters, the American Legion, VFW Auxiliary, Zonta and the American Heart Association.
Greta is survived by her children, Sandra (Roger) Batt, Algona, Iowa, Beverly (Bruce) Baker, Kellogg, Minn., Theresa Kraushaar (Michael Eisenbarth), Morgan, Minn., Mary Hansen (Alex Moise), Brooklyn Center, Minn., Michael (Jenny) Kraushaar, Austin, Jane Byrne, Plymouth, Minn., Patricia (Earl) McLain, Maple Grove, Minn.; 18 grandchildren, Tony, Dustin, BJ, Brandon, Chad, Trevor, Eric, Grayson, Courtney, Isaac, Ethan, Caden, Nicholas, Nathan, Zachary, Christopher, McKenna and Rebecca; three great-grandchildren, Stacy, Shelby and Mellisa; sister, Libby Roberts, Falkville, Ala.;
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mary Francis Dunn.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
------------------------
Veterans' rights officer 'blazed a lot of trails'
1/2/2009
By Karen Colbenson
Post-Bulletin, Austin MN
Greta Kraushaar, a well-known advocate for women veterans' rights, will be remembered for her leadership and unfailing devotion to those in military service.
Kraushaar, 78, of Austin, died Wednesday at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
As the long-time Mower County veterans service officer, Kraushaar led a state task force in the 1990s focused on the national recognition of Minnesota's female veterans in the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
The memorial, built at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, salutes America's military women and contains a registry of names, photographs and individual stories of servicewomen. It is the only major national memorial honoring all servicewomen.
Kraushaar, a Navy veteran, spent years as head of the Mower County veterans office, counseling both male and female veterans on their entitlements.
Raised in West Virginia, Kraushaar had three uncles who served in the military and was known as a leader who was never afraid to take a position traditionally dominated by men.
Defying her mother's wishes, Kraushaar joined the Navy in 1951, the day after her 21st birthday. While in the service, she married a Navy officer, and the two had seven children.
Kraushaar and her husband eventually moved to Austin, where they farmed; they later divorced.
She was appointed to lead the state advisory task force on concerns for female veterans.
Friends reflect
Long-time friends of Kraushaar describe her as strong-willed and fearless with an extraordinary dedication to working on the behalf of others.
"She was one of the most intelligent women I had the good fortune to be around, and she definitely knew her own mind," said Sandy Thatcher Jarvis, of Austin.
Jarvis had known Kraushaar for more than 40 years.
"We were feminists together," Jarvis said, smiling. "She was a strong woman. She wasn't afraid to put her neck out there for the things she believed in. I hope she is remembered with gratitude. She blazed a lot of trails."
Jarvis said she will remember Kraushaar as a mentor and comrade.
"I hope everyone appreciates what she has done, and gives her the military honor she deserves."
Veteran Norm Hecimovich, who worked with Kraushaar on local veterans issues for several years, said the veterans service officer forerunner also was active in Spamtown Post, an American Legion post for women.
"Women were overlooked as veterans for many years," said Hecimovich. "She would take on issues; she would go to bat for people. She would take that stand for people."
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Greta Mae Kraushaar, 78, of Austin, died on Dec. 31, 2008 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.
She was born March 25, 1930 in Parkersburg, W.V. to Carl and Christine (Reap) Smith. Greta Graduated from the Dunbar High School and served in the U.S. Navy. She was married to Robert G. Kraushaar in 1953; they later divorced. Greta graduated from St. Catherine's College with a bachelor of arts degree in social work. She was employed at the Mower County Veteran's Service Office until her retirement in 1998.
Greta was a very active resident of the Austin area. She served on many city and county boards, including the County Veterans Memorial Committee, the City Planning Commission, the Austin Municipal Airport, Mower County Planning and water policy advisory boards. She also held positions with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and the Minnesota Women Veterans Task Force. Greta was a member of the League of Women Voters, the American Legion, VFW Auxiliary, Zonta and the American Heart Association.
Greta is survived by her children, Sandra (Roger) Batt, Algona, Iowa, Beverly (Bruce) Baker, Kellogg, Minn., Theresa Kraushaar (Michael Eisenbarth), Morgan, Minn., Mary Hansen (Alex Moise), Brooklyn Center, Minn., Michael (Jenny) Kraushaar, Austin, Jane Byrne, Plymouth, Minn., Patricia (Earl) McLain, Maple Grove, Minn.; 18 grandchildren, Tony, Dustin, BJ, Brandon, Chad, Trevor, Eric, Grayson, Courtney, Isaac, Ethan, Caden, Nicholas, Nathan, Zachary, Christopher, McKenna and Rebecca; three great-grandchildren, Stacy, Shelby and Mellisa; sister, Libby Roberts, Falkville, Ala.;
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mary Francis Dunn.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
------------------------
Veterans' rights officer 'blazed a lot of trails'
1/2/2009
By Karen Colbenson
Post-Bulletin, Austin MN
Greta Kraushaar, a well-known advocate for women veterans' rights, will be remembered for her leadership and unfailing devotion to those in military service.
Kraushaar, 78, of Austin, died Wednesday at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
As the long-time Mower County veterans service officer, Kraushaar led a state task force in the 1990s focused on the national recognition of Minnesota's female veterans in the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
The memorial, built at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, salutes America's military women and contains a registry of names, photographs and individual stories of servicewomen. It is the only major national memorial honoring all servicewomen.
Kraushaar, a Navy veteran, spent years as head of the Mower County veterans office, counseling both male and female veterans on their entitlements.
Raised in West Virginia, Kraushaar had three uncles who served in the military and was known as a leader who was never afraid to take a position traditionally dominated by men.
Defying her mother's wishes, Kraushaar joined the Navy in 1951, the day after her 21st birthday. While in the service, she married a Navy officer, and the two had seven children.
Kraushaar and her husband eventually moved to Austin, where they farmed; they later divorced.
She was appointed to lead the state advisory task force on concerns for female veterans.
Friends reflect
Long-time friends of Kraushaar describe her as strong-willed and fearless with an extraordinary dedication to working on the behalf of others.
"She was one of the most intelligent women I had the good fortune to be around, and she definitely knew her own mind," said Sandy Thatcher Jarvis, of Austin.
Jarvis had known Kraushaar for more than 40 years.
"We were feminists together," Jarvis said, smiling. "She was a strong woman. She wasn't afraid to put her neck out there for the things she believed in. I hope she is remembered with gratitude. She blazed a lot of trails."
Jarvis said she will remember Kraushaar as a mentor and comrade.
"I hope everyone appreciates what she has done, and gives her the military honor she deserves."
Veteran Norm Hecimovich, who worked with Kraushaar on local veterans issues for several years, said the veterans service officer forerunner also was active in Spamtown Post, an American Legion post for women.
"Women were overlooked as veterans for many years," said Hecimovich. "She would take on issues; she would go to bat for people. She would take that stand for people."
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
She was born March 25, 1930 in Parkersburg, W.V. to Carl and Christine (Reap) Smith. Greta Graduated from the Dunbar High School and served in the U.S. Navy. She was married to Robert G. Kraushaar in 1953; they later divorced. Greta graduated from St. Catherine's College with a bachelor of arts degree in social work. She was employed at the Mower County Veteran's Service Office until her retirement in 1998.
Greta was a very active resident of the Austin area. She served on many city and county boards, including the County Veterans Memorial Committee, the City Planning Commission, the Austin Municipal Airport, Mower County Planning and water policy advisory boards. She also held positions with the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and the Minnesota Women Veterans Task Force. Greta was a member of the League of Women Voters, the American Legion, VFW Auxiliary, Zonta and the American Heart Association.
Greta is survived by her children, Sandra (Roger) Batt, Algona, Iowa, Beverly (Bruce) Baker, Kellogg, Minn., Theresa Kraushaar (Michael Eisenbarth), Morgan, Minn., Mary Hansen (Alex Moise), Brooklyn Center, Minn., Michael (Jenny) Kraushaar, Austin, Jane Byrne, Plymouth, Minn., Patricia (Earl) McLain, Maple Grove, Minn.; 18 grandchildren, Tony, Dustin, BJ, Brandon, Chad, Trevor, Eric, Grayson, Courtney, Isaac, Ethan, Caden, Nicholas, Nathan, Zachary, Christopher, McKenna and Rebecca; three great-grandchildren, Stacy, Shelby and Mellisa; sister, Libby Roberts, Falkville, Ala.;
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mary Francis Dunn.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.
------------------------
Veterans' rights officer 'blazed a lot of trails'
1/2/2009
By Karen Colbenson
Post-Bulletin, Austin MN
Greta Kraushaar, a well-known advocate for women veterans' rights, will be remembered for her leadership and unfailing devotion to those in military service.
Kraushaar, 78, of Austin, died Wednesday at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.
As the long-time Mower County veterans service officer, Kraushaar led a state task force in the 1990s focused on the national recognition of Minnesota's female veterans in the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
The memorial, built at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, salutes America's military women and contains a registry of names, photographs and individual stories of servicewomen. It is the only major national memorial honoring all servicewomen.
Kraushaar, a Navy veteran, spent years as head of the Mower County veterans office, counseling both male and female veterans on their entitlements.
Raised in West Virginia, Kraushaar had three uncles who served in the military and was known as a leader who was never afraid to take a position traditionally dominated by men.
Defying her mother's wishes, Kraushaar joined the Navy in 1951, the day after her 21st birthday. While in the service, she married a Navy officer, and the two had seven children.
Kraushaar and her husband eventually moved to Austin, where they farmed; they later divorced.
She was appointed to lead the state advisory task force on concerns for female veterans.
Friends reflect
Long-time friends of Kraushaar describe her as strong-willed and fearless with an extraordinary dedication to working on the behalf of others.
"She was one of the most intelligent women I had the good fortune to be around, and she definitely knew her own mind," said Sandy Thatcher Jarvis, of Austin.
Jarvis had known Kraushaar for more than 40 years.
"We were feminists together," Jarvis said, smiling. "She was a strong woman. She wasn't afraid to put her neck out there for the things she believed in. I hope she is remembered with gratitude. She blazed a lot of trails."
Jarvis said she will remember Kraushaar as a mentor and comrade.
"I hope everyone appreciates what she has done, and gives her the military honor she deserves."
Veteran Norm Hecimovich, who worked with Kraushaar on local veterans issues for several years, said the veterans service officer forerunner also was active in Spamtown Post, an American Legion post for women.
"Women were overlooked as veterans for many years," said Hecimovich. "She would take on issues; she would go to bat for people. She would take that stand for people."
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Clasen-Jordan Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
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