Edward Julius Krason, 87, passed away Monday, March 25, 2013 at his residence in Maria Center apartments, a part of The Center at Donaldson sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in Donaldson, Indiana. He has made his home there since 2003 and was a former resident of St. Paul’s Retirement Center in South Bend.
He was born on the Southside of Chicago on February 20, 1926, the second son of John J. and Mary F. (Lipa) Krason. He joined an older brother Thaddeus and later came his brother John who died at the age of five. Edward was baptized in St. John of God Roman Catholic Church in Chicago.
He started school at St. John’s grade school, run by the Felician Sisters. He attended Gage Park High School which he completed in 1944 and then joined the United States Navy. Three months later he was given a medical discharge.
Edward’s first job while in high school was a stock-room employee for Sears, Roebuck and Co. on Western Ave. and 62nd Street in Chicago. He worked into the delivery department and later sales until 1950.
At the same time he was taking undergraduate classes at DePaul University’s downtown campus. He started off studying accounting but later transferred his major to Liberal Arts/Education. He also took Philosophy courses from the Dominican priests.
It was not all work and no play, as Edward truly enjoyed ballroom dancing, bowling and roller-skating. He read extensively and had a great appreciation of music.
He had a dream of combining his teaching skills with a deep desire to become a priest, but was often discourage because he was “too old”. He persevered in his dream and at the age of 32, admittedly older than most, Edward was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest on February 3, 1958 by Bishop Leo A. Pursley.
As a Priest of the Fort Wayne, South Bend, IN diocese, he ministered at the following assignments in Ft. Wayne; St. Jude’s parish, Central Catholic grade and high schools, Queen of Angels parish, St. John the Baptist Parish, principal of Bishop Dwenger High School, CCD Fort Wayne Area Director and Pre-Cana Director. He also served at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and Huntington Catholic High School in Huntington, Indiana, St. Mary’s parish in Decatur, St, Joseph’s parish in Garrett and St. John the Evangelist parish in Goshen. The following family members survive him: his sister-in-law; Lena Krason of Brookfield, Illinois, nephews and nieces; Mark E. (Kathy) Krason of Lansing, Illinois, Ted E. Krason (and Valarie Pehler) of Brookfield, Nanette M. (Ron) Brija of Brookfield, Melanie A. (Jim) Sloane of San Jose, California; one great-niece and five great-nephews. He had a great appreciation for his family; and the Community of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, which he called home.
Visitation for Edward Julius Krason will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. EDT in the Ancilla Domini Chapel, 9601 Union Road, Donaldson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held immediately following at 10:30 in the Chapel. The Rev. Fr. John Pfister, pastor of St. Mary Church in Huntington will celebrate the Mass.
Burial will follow later that afternoon in the Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Ministries, P.O. Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.
Diana Nielsen says
What a very nice person. It was always a pleasure to see Fr. Ed. He was a regular at A.S.K. For Flowers and he always made us smile with his pleasant demeanor and kindness. He will be missed. From everyone at A.S.K. For Flowers
Fr. Pat McNulty says
Fr. Ed\’s family may or may not remember me but many years ago I drove with him to his brother\’s place in the Chicago area. In any case Ed and I served in the Diocese of Ft. Wayne together for many years and have stayed in touch but I lost contact with his blood family. I just wanted them to know that we did not forget \”Eddie.\” I would give anything to there for the funeral but I now live in Canada and with my own health issues and age (82) I could not handle the trip. But I will join you and the family of Ancilla Domini at the Altar on April 2nd. from a distance. PS. May they be forever blessed for their care and kindness to my brother.
Fr. Pat McNulty
Max and Peggy Blue says
Prayers for the family, He was a great priest, He baptized both of our children at St Johns, What a blessing.
Pat Ridgeway says
I\’m going to miss Fathers smile and his laughter. He was a wonderful Priest and was my friend. In Fathers words, everytime we would finish talking he would always say \”GOD BLESS\”.
My prayers go out to his family. He will truly be missed and never forgotten.
Patty (Smalec) & Ralph Henige says
Was so very sorry to hear of Fr. Ed\’s passing. It\’s been a number of years since we\’ve seen him but always enjoyed our visits with him. Our condolences to the family, wish we could be there for the funeral. I remember being at his ordination all those years ago at Orchard Lake. He will be missed.
Richard C. Sparks, C.S.P. says
Fr Ed was a good man and in many good ways a role model to me in my own vocation. He was a strict, but fair principal at Bishop Dwenger High School. He always felt close to the PHJC Sisters at Donaldson and especially those who served at Dwenger. I am now stationed in San Francisco, so I will not be able to be there in person for his wake and funeral. I promise to be there in prayer and the Spirit. RIP Edju.
Fr. Dick Sparks, C.S.P.
Paul Johnston says
I wish to extend my deepest and sincere condolences on the passing of Fr. Krason. I not only had the privilege of knowing him, but also lived a year with him while on leave from the seminary, at Bishop Dwenger in the 70\’s. He later became our pastor in Garrett, where we again connected on a personal level. Fr. Ed was an awesome man and an excellent role model for me. It is unfortunate that I lost contact with him after he left Garrett. He touched so many lives at BD in a positvive way. I am a better person for having know Fr. Ed. Again you are in my thoughts and prayers .
Theresa A. Bruner says
The family of John & Pat Weber, Ft. Wayne, IN send our deepest sympathies.
Our children, Theresa, Joseph, Carol & Russell attended Bishop Dwenger High School during the time that Fr. Krason was principal there. He was greatly admired by our family for his leadership at the school both spiritually and academically. He will always be remembered by our family.
Joe Cochran says
Fr. Krason was an excellent Principal and role model for all of us who were students at Bishop Dwenger High School. He lived his life by Christs example and the impact that he had on hundreds of students lives on today … God Bless you Fr. Krason.
Joe Cochran \’78
Donna Pontius says
Whenever Father Ed would see me he always asked about our horse. If he didn\’t catch a glimpse of Ziggy on his way past he would be sure to ask if he was okay. It was good to know Father was looking after the neighborhood as he will continue to do from above. Thanks and peace to your memory, Father.
Pamela S. (Foellinger) Lance says
My greatest sympathy to the family of Fr. Edward Krason. I attended Bishop Dwenger High School from 1964 to graduation in 1968. Our class was the 2nd graduating class from Dwenger. He was the principal and a very strict one at that. When we had sock hops in the school gym and played slow music to dance to he would come around with his stick and make sure we were not dancing to close. He loved the school and the students, and had our best interests at heart. I am sure he will be missed by many, but is now in the arms of God.
Rick Stier says
May God bless Fr. Ed and welcome him home. He was such a strong influence in my life. I still can see him through out the school and his constuctive comments about being \”Dwenger Men\”.
I will miss him very much. He was the celebrant for my wedding at Queen of Angels.
As I followed him to the different parishes to visit, he always introduced me to the congregation.
I always enjoyed Mass in his room near south Bend. I will pray for your family during this time of sorrow.
Rick Stier, BDHS class of 70
Fr. Edward J. Ruetz says
Dear Members of the Father Edward Krason Family:
My sympathy and support goes out to you on the occasion of the death of your dear, brother, uncle, great-uncle, Father Edward! He was a faith filled, compassionate, sensitive and caring man and priest. Our faith in God reminds us, that for Father Ed, \”life is changed and not ended.\” He now lives in the peace love and joy of the Heavenly Community with his beloved God.
Fr. Ed was a close friend, and we visited at Ancilla from time to time. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend either the wake or funeral! I have celebrated a Mass in his memory recently!
May Jesus be a source of consolation, peace and strength at this time of deep grief and loss!
Peace and Love!
Father Ed Ruetz, retired priest, Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend
Dan and Mary Kay Longacre says
Fr. Ed was a dear soul that pastored my family during some of our most difficult time. His prayerful spirit will be missed and I know that heaven has a new angel to watch over all of us. My prayers are with his family as I am sure they will miss his caring attitude and devotion. He will be missed, but held close in our prayers and our hearts.
Timothy D. Woods says
I\’m sorry I learned of Father\’s falling asleep so late. He was very supportive of me at BD, and even thought I would be a priest (made it to subdeacon so far). According to my mother, he was one of my Dad\’s favorite priests and bosses. I was very grateful I had a chance to share lunch with him twice in the months before he died. He was a dedicated priest, teacher, and friend. I was blessed to know him.
Diana Nielsen says
What a very nice person. It was always a pleasure to see Fr. Ed. He was a regular at A.S.K. For Flowers and he always made us smile with his pleasant demeanor and kindness. He will be missed. From everyone at A.S.K. For Flowers
Fr. Pat McNulty says
Fr. Ed\’s family may or may not remember me but many years ago I drove with him to his brother\’s place in the Chicago area. In any case Ed and I served in the Diocese of Ft. Wayne together for many years and have stayed in touch but I lost contact with his blood family. I just wanted them to know that we did not forget \”Eddie.\” I would give anything to there for the funeral but I now live in Canada and with my own health issues and age (82) I could not handle the trip. But I will join you and the family of Ancilla Domini at the Altar on April 2nd. from a distance. PS. May they be forever blessed for their care and kindness to my brother.
Fr. Pat McNulty
Max and Peggy Blue says
Prayers for the family, He was a great priest, He baptized both of our children at St Johns, What a blessing.
Pat Ridgeway says
I\’m going to miss Fathers smile and his laughter. He was a wonderful Priest and was my friend. In Fathers words, everytime we would finish talking he would always say \”GOD BLESS\”.
My prayers go out to his family. He will truly be missed and never forgotten.
Patty (Smalec) & Ralph Henige says
Was so very sorry to hear of Fr. Ed\’s passing. It\’s been a number of years since we\’ve seen him but always enjoyed our visits with him. Our condolences to the family, wish we could be there for the funeral. I remember being at his ordination all those years ago at Orchard Lake. He will be missed.
Richard C. Sparks, C.S.P. says
Fr Ed was a good man and in many good ways a role model to me in my own vocation. He was a strict, but fair principal at Bishop Dwenger High School. He always felt close to the PHJC Sisters at Donaldson and especially those who served at Dwenger. I am now stationed in San Francisco, so I will not be able to be there in person for his wake and funeral. I promise to be there in prayer and the Spirit. RIP Edju.
Fr. Dick Sparks, C.S.P.
Paul Johnston says
I wish to extend my deepest and sincere condolences on the passing of Fr. Krason. I not only had the privilege of knowing him, but also lived a year with him while on leave from the seminary, at Bishop Dwenger in the 70\’s. He later became our pastor in Garrett, where we again connected on a personal level. Fr. Ed was an awesome man and an excellent role model for me. It is unfortunate that I lost contact with him after he left Garrett. He touched so many lives at BD in a positvive way. I am a better person for having know Fr. Ed. Again you are in my thoughts and prayers .
Theresa A. Bruner says
The family of John & Pat Weber, Ft. Wayne, IN send our deepest sympathies.
Our children, Theresa, Joseph, Carol & Russell attended Bishop Dwenger High School during the time that Fr. Krason was principal there. He was greatly admired by our family for his leadership at the school both spiritually and academically. He will always be remembered by our family.
Joe Cochran says
Fr. Krason was an excellent Principal and role model for all of us who were students at Bishop Dwenger High School. He lived his life by Christs example and the impact that he had on hundreds of students lives on today … God Bless you Fr. Krason.
Joe Cochran \’78
Donna Pontius says
Whenever Father Ed would see me he always asked about our horse. If he didn\’t catch a glimpse of Ziggy on his way past he would be sure to ask if he was okay. It was good to know Father was looking after the neighborhood as he will continue to do from above. Thanks and peace to your memory, Father.
Pamela S. (Foellinger) Lance says
My greatest sympathy to the family of Fr. Edward Krason. I attended Bishop Dwenger High School from 1964 to graduation in 1968. Our class was the 2nd graduating class from Dwenger. He was the principal and a very strict one at that. When we had sock hops in the school gym and played slow music to dance to he would come around with his stick and make sure we were not dancing to close. He loved the school and the students, and had our best interests at heart. I am sure he will be missed by many, but is now in the arms of God.
Rick Stier says
May God bless Fr. Ed and welcome him home. He was such a strong influence in my life. I still can see him through out the school and his constuctive comments about being \”Dwenger Men\”.
I will miss him very much. He was the celebrant for my wedding at Queen of Angels.
As I followed him to the different parishes to visit, he always introduced me to the congregation.
I always enjoyed Mass in his room near south Bend. I will pray for your family during this time of sorrow.
Rick Stier, BDHS class of 70
Fr. Edward J. Ruetz says
Dear Members of the Father Edward Krason Family:
My sympathy and support goes out to you on the occasion of the death of your dear, brother, uncle, great-uncle, Father Edward! He was a faith filled, compassionate, sensitive and caring man and priest. Our faith in God reminds us, that for Father Ed, \”life is changed and not ended.\” He now lives in the peace love and joy of the Heavenly Community with his beloved God.
Fr. Ed was a close friend, and we visited at Ancilla from time to time. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend either the wake or funeral! I have celebrated a Mass in his memory recently!
May Jesus be a source of consolation, peace and strength at this time of deep grief and loss!
Peace and Love!
Father Ed Ruetz, retired priest, Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend
Dan and Mary Kay Longacre says
Fr. Ed was a dear soul that pastored my family during some of our most difficult time. His prayerful spirit will be missed and I know that heaven has a new angel to watch over all of us. My prayers are with his family as I am sure they will miss his caring attitude and devotion. He will be missed, but held close in our prayers and our hearts.
Timothy D. Woods says
I\’m sorry I learned of Father\’s falling asleep so late. He was very supportive of me at BD, and even thought I would be a priest (made it to subdeacon so far). According to my mother, he was one of my Dad\’s favorite priests and bosses. I was very grateful I had a chance to share lunch with him twice in the months before he died. He was a dedicated priest, teacher, and friend. I was blessed to know him.