Mr. Chet Krause - Philanthropist - Iola Car Show & Swap Meet Founder - Great Guy Passes

[Trulyvintage]

I was privileged to meet Mr. Krause many years ago in Iola, WI. 

I picked up a pair of military jeeps & a trailer he had sold. 

I arrived when his office opened - spent coffee time at the conference table with him & some co-workers. 

He showed me his latest project - cataloging state bank issued paper currency. 

Then we loaded - he insisted on helping. 

He gave me a copy of his autobiography. 

Then he was off to the local rest home where he kept a residence for his afternoon nap (he donated generously to having it built). 

I had time so I walked the small downtown of Iola. 

Everywhere I went - everyone had a story to tell about Chet and his kindness. 

I was touched. 

I bought him a gift certificate at a small restaurant he frequented - dropped it by his office on my way out of town. 

I read his autobiography on my way to California to drop off the jeeps & gave it to the new owner. 

What a full & generous life Mr. Krause lived ....  


Story link here: 


@ http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/news/local/2016/06/27/chet-krause-dead- 92/86429498/ 



Jim

[cahartley]

Chet and I became good friends when his interest in building an engine and tractor collection kicked in.

It wasn't too long before I was buying pieces for him.

We worked on a lot of things for his various collections: Military, cars, tractors, engines and even a steam engine at one point........which we fired up and drove to downtown Iola to have lunch....... 

Nothing can describe Chet better than the title of the book about him....... "Just Plain Chet".

I was shocked and saddened when I heard he had passed away.......  

Thankfully only about a month earlier he and I lunched together across the street from the office he still maintained.

I know Chet was only kidding about "he wanted the check to the undertaker to bounce.” ........ LOL .......I'm good friends with them too.......they are less than a hundred yards from Chet's office and Chet would never rest if he owed anybody anything.