FJ - Chet Krause Philanthropist - Iola Car Shop & Swap Meet Founder - Great Guy Passes

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2016: FJ - Chet Krause Philanthropist - Iola Car Shop & Swap Meet Founder - Great Guy Passes
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freighter Jim on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - 10:30 am:

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/



Freighter Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Albert Lemon on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - 10:24 pm:

I met Chet way back in the mid 70's. A fellow car collector, Joe Perrizo, myself and Chet ended up in the back of his publication facility looking at some of Chet's collection. In this conversation between the three of us, we came up with this idea of having a car show in Iola. Chet insisted that the Lions Club would supply chicken. Well the rest is history now after the three of us started what is now one of the largest car shows in the world. I remember it took me 3 days to detail polish a black piece of glass 28' Roadster PU, then stuck it in a unmowed hay field, that was the last time I ever did that !!! Met Chet again in later years at Rawhide Boys Ranch where our driving club (horses and carriages) put on a celebration event. Chet at the time was in his early 90's and remembered me. He rode in one of my antique carriages and we had a pleasant conversation about the very first Old Cars Show we started. Chet was a "special person" and will sadly be missed but never forgotten. RIP my ol' friend


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freighter Jim on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - 11:49 pm:

John,

I don't believe Mr. Krause was ever married or had any children ....

If memory serves - he turned the publishing company over to the employees rather than sell it off.

When I met him - he had just finished selling off his military collection which included some large tanks.

He was one of those people you just never forget.


Freighter Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Albert Lemon on Thursday, June 30, 2016 - 07:13 am:

I didn't know a lot about his family history Jim, but the part about leaving the business to his employees doesn't surprise me a bit. Knowing Chet as a "giving person", had to be fun coming to work. Years ago I had a employer like that, it was family owned, operated and treated us well. I couldn't say enough kind words about Chet but you nailed it perfectly "Chet was a gift to humanity". The man left behind a legacy that we only could dream of, and never to be forgotten.


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