Michael John Krause

Michael John Krause, age 78, of Richfield, Minnesota, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on May 5, 2025, in Minneapolis.

Michael, or Mike as he liked to be called, was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, proudly serving his country before settling in the Twin Cities.

Mike built a long and meaningful career as an analytical chemist with the Minnesota Department of Health. It was during a happy hour at the Improper Fraction across from work that he met Marilyn, who would become his wife and lifelong partner for the next 46 years. They married in 1978 and went on to raise two daughters, Erin and Kristin. A man of wide-ranging interests, Mike's greatest passions were the outdoors and photography. He loved the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and enjoyed camping with his wife and friends both before and after his kids were born. The family eventually began an annual family vacation to a cabin near Ely, MN, where he would wake up in the wee hours of the morning with hopes of capturing the perfect photo of the sunrise. Later in the afternoon, before dusk, he would venture out onto the Fernberg Road, hoping for the same success with a sunset at a scenic overlook. Many more long drives were taken, chancing cloudy skies, changes in forecasts, and random luck for the opportunity to view and photograph the skyward display of northern lights. Mike also cherished memorable train trips to Glacier Park with his family, where one of his favorite spots to photograph was along the Going-to-the-Sun Road (or the Sun Road, as he affectionately called it).

Mike's fondness for geology led to many afternoons of fossil hunting with his daughters at the Brickyards in St. Paul, rain or shine. A day trip into Canada with the family brought them to an amethyst mine in Thunder Bay, and there were many pauses on gravel roads for Mike to pick through rocks in search of the perfect agate. Drives in northern Minnesota always came with many opportunities to stretch legs on the side of the road—and opportunities for Mike to chisel a rock or three from the stony outcroppings that were always and mysteriously nearby.

His interest in geology also inspired him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the subject — a goal he achieved through years of dedicated study while working full-time and supporting his family. When asked why he chose geology instead of his professional field of chemistry, his answer was always (jokingly), “Chemistry is boring.”

As a father, Mike instilled discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, but he was not above bending the rules if it meant skipping school (and work) to catch the premiere of a new Star Wars movie. He offered steadfast support to his children’s ever-changing interests while growing up — from horseback riding, to ice skating, to video games and art — and planted sparks of scientific curiosity through many, many trips to the Science Museum.

In 2006, Mike embraced a new role in life when his grandson Logan was born, becoming a proud and devoted Grandfather.

Though he was an intellectual, Mike was also just a down-to-earth guy who loved a good beer (Surly Furious being his favorite). He enjoyed good writing, from suspenseful thrillers and science fiction to the clever humor of an evening sitcom. He was a wonderful husband, a great dad, and an amazing grandpa. He will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his lifelong passion for the sciences, and his quiet wit and sense of humor.