Dollene "Wally" Marie Krause

Dollene Marie "Wally" Krause, 87, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on May 1, 2024, surrounded by her family. Wally was born on March 30, 1937, in Missoula, Montana to the late Daniel Palmer Johnson and Helen G. Forsyth Johnson.

Wally attended Franklin Elementary School and Missoula County High School. She married Chet Krause in 1955. Together they welcomed four children; Steven, Larry, Michael and Linda. Chet and Wally were married for 56 years. Family was the center of her life. Wally was a Cub Scout leader, attended all of her children’s baseball and football games, and hosted countless memorable family dinners. After she and Chet moved to Spokane, trips to Missoula were lovingly planned: gifts for her children and grandchildren were purchased and wrapped, food was cooked and packaged and the car was loaded down. No matter how deep the snow, they always made the trek to Missoula.

Wally loved selling Avon products and took pride in selling clients things that they didn’t even know they needed. She was proud to be a member of the Avon President’s Club. While in Missoula, Wally also worked at Circle K. After she and Chet moved to Spokane, she worked at the Pickle Barrel and the Popcorn Shop.

Wally enjoyed sewing and quilting. She lovingly made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. Wally took her bingo playing very seriously, playing up to 18 cards at a time (while simultaneously helping everyone around her play their cards). She and Chet bowled in mixed leagues in Missoula and Spokane. She was an avid fan of The Walking Dead; her favorite character was Daryl Dixon.

Wally is survived by her children Steve (Betsy), Larry (Sue), Mike (Rhonda), and Linda, sister Helen (Dejay), brother-in-law Frank Jensen, grandchildren JoDee Bartell (Chris), Amy Broderick (Tim), Lori Anderson (Ethan), Scot Krause (Liz), Jordan Krause, Taylor Walsh (Tommy), and Austin Walsh (Alizabeth), great-grandchildren Nathan, Ethan, Owen, Aurora, Aiden, Thomas, Thomas Wayne, and Ada, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Chet, brothers Danny (June) and Jerry (Judy), sister Carol, niece Tammy Charlton Cook, nephews Little Dan Johnson and Ross Johnson.

Wally will be dearly missed by all who loved her. She will be fondly remembered for her competitive spirit, feisty personality, and spunkiness, even throughout her final days.

A private family gathering will be held this summer to honor Wally's life. Just Cremation in Missoula, Montana, is assisting the family with the arrangements.