Funeral services for Merle Ruth Engel Krause, 96, of Beasley, TX, will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors Chapel, 1201 4th Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 , with the Rev. Ken Collins and G. W. Niederhofer as officiants. Public visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, for one hour preceding the funeral service. DUE TO COVID-19, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED. Private interment will follow at Davis Greenlawn Cemetery in Rosenberg. Serving as pallbearers are her grandsons.

Merle was born on November 21, 1923, near Beasley in the home of her parents, Herman and Ruth Engel; and passed away in her home at Greatwood Assisted Living on July 1, 2020.

Merle attended school at Tavener through grade 9, and then attended and graduated from Beasley High School. Merle and Garrett Charles (G.C.) Krause were married in the Engel home on March 10, 1944. She and G.C. raised their children on their farm near Beasley, moving to the City of Beasley in 1974 and finally to Greatwood Assisted Living in 2019. Merle was very active in her church (First Baptist Church of Beasley) as a Sunday School teacher of all ages, WMU Director, VBS Principal, pianist and organist, and more. She also served for a number of years with the San Felipe Baptist Association, including several as WMU Director.

Once their children grew up and left home, Merle and G.C. enjoyed annual driving vacations, ranging as far as California, New England and Canada. They were sometimes joined by her brother Loyd and wife Lorene, and by her sister Elaine and husband Louis. Merle also traveled with friends to the Holy Land and to Brazil.

Merle maintained a large garden, canning and freezing vegetables and fruit for use throughout the year, and numerous beautiful flower beds. She sewed clothing for herself, her daughter and granddaughter, their dolls, and as needed for everyone in the family. She enjoyed crafts of many varieties and participated in monthly Beasley Handicraft Club activities for many years. She also served her community by volunteering at the elementary school and as an election judge.

Family was of the utmost importance to Merle, who was always ready to serve as chaperone or driver for her children's activities, host family get togethers, and organize family reunions. Merle had multiple batches of cookies ready for any family or visitors who dropped by, and joyfully made amazing home-cooked meals for the extended family. She shared VBS; her joy of crafts, music, and cooking; and her love of Jesus with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and more.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband G.C. Krause in 2004, and her brothers and sisters in law Louis Arnold, Dennis and Viola Krause, Berry and Leora Krause, Mabel and Mart Cole, and Della and Roy Behrens.

Merle is survived by her son Gary and his wife Sheila; son William and his wife Linda; daughter Kay and her husband Byron Pugh; her seven grandchildren Josh and his wife Sarah, Jake and his wife Ashli, Eric and his wife Samantha, Eileen and her husband Andrew Murphy, Austin Pugh and his wife Wendy, Hunter Pugh, and Daniel Pugh; her ten great grandchildren Gunnar, Emma, Ehren, Emily, Paul Murphy, Austin Pugh, Brian Murphy, Maggie, Andrea Pugh and Jane Murphy; her brother Loyd Engel and wife Lorene; her sister Elaine Arnold; and numerous other family and friends.

Memorials may be given in Merle's memory to the First Baptist Church of Beasley, P.O. Box 117, Beasley, Texas 77417 .

Condolence messages may be written for the Krause family at www.garmanycarden.com .

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4