Thelma "Betty" Krause

Thelma "Betty” E. Krause, age 94, of Dundalk, Maryland passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at Senator Bob Hooper House in Forest Hill, Maryland. Predeceased by mother, Thelma Zang Buberl; sisters, Geraldine Zang and Joan Anthony; brothers, Leonard Zang, Carl Zang, Arthur Zang, Edward Zang, Jr., and Paul Zang; daughter, Sharon Ann Krause; and her loving husband of 41 years, William "Bill" Krause.

A loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betty’s family was her world. She was a kind-hearted and generous woman, and the values of love, kindness, and compassion that she lived by were passed down to her two children.

Betty dedicated herself to creating a warm and beautiful home for her family. When her children were old enough, she worked for a few years at the Coca-Cola factory in East Baltimore, but she ultimately felt her true calling was to be a homemaker, devoting herself to caring for and nurturing her family.

She loved to travel and made cherished memories with her family in Phoenix, San Diego, and Las Vegas. Betty was especially fond of the ocean and found peace and happiness spending time on the beach with her family in Ocean City, MD. It was there, surrounded by loved ones, that she felt most at home.

One of her greatest joys was traveling to Florida with her beloved daughter and granddaughter, where they visited Disney World together. Betty also loved taking her granddaughter to the Inner Harbor to feed the sea lions at the National Aquarium, creating memories that will be forever treasured.

A true animal lover, Betty treated her dogs as family, with her beloved Norwegian Elkhound, Stormy, being especially cherished. She also had a passion for cooking and baking, and her family will always remember her delicious pastas, homemade soups, pot roasts, cabbage, crab cakes, and sweet treats.

Betty is survived by her son, Walter “Bill” Krause and wife, Donna Krause of Abingdon, MD; daughter, Terry Liles of Phoenix, AZ; granddaughter, Dana Orlando and husband, Mike Orlando; great-grandchildren, Connor Orlando and Grant Orlando; six sisters, Mary Schildtknecht, Linda Markell, Barbara Conway, Theresa Bainbridge, and Diana Breece; brother, Lonny Buberl.

The Krause family would like to thank the professional and compassionate staff at The Senator Bob Hooper House for all the care they provided, and to extend the most heartfelt thank you to Lisa, Kristen and all of the kind and wonderful staff there.