The Krause family has a long history with the University of Iowa. Each of W.A. and Nancy Krause’s three children and their spouses earned degrees from the University of Iowa. One of the grandchildren is now starting her education at the University of Iowa, continuing the tradition as a third generation Krause to be enrolled at the UI.
W.A. Krause
Co-Founder and CEO of Krause Gentle Corporation
• CEO of more than 420 Kum & Go convenience stores in 13 states. Kum & Go is Iowa’s largest privately held and the United State’s 22nd largest convenience store chain.
• Founder of Liberty Bank, Iowa’s fastest growing bank. Liberty Bank has 17 locations in Iowa and Illinois, with more than $650 million in assets.
• Founder of Teamwork Acres, a collection of farms that includes land and a cow/calf operation.
W.A. Krause is a 1957 graduate of the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. While at the University of Iowa, Krause served as team manager for the Iowa football team under Forest Evashevski’s direction. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity while attending the university.
Krause and his wife, Nancy, have contributed to the University of Iowa athletics program for41 consecutive years. In 1993, they committed $500,000 to the Hawkeye Horizons athletics facilities campaign; the W.A. Krause Family Weight Room in the Richard O. Jacobson Athletic Building is named in recognition of that gift.
The Krauses support a number of University of Iowa programs, including the U of I Henry B. Tippie College of Business where he established the Krause Faculty Fellowship and created the Krause Challenge, an educational investment-management program for the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa and Drake University.
Krause was president of the National I-Club twice and currently serves on the National I-Club board and co-chairs the committee coordinating the athletics program’s initiatives within the UI’s comprehensive “Good. Better. Best. Iowa” campaign. Bill’s son Kevin is the National I-Club incoming president, making it the first time that a father and son have served as National I-Club presidents.
In 1993, Krause was named the National I-Club “Hawk of the Year”. He received the University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000, and is a member of the President’s Club.
All three of W.A. and Nancy Krause’s children and their spouses earned degrees from the University of Iowa: Kevin Krause, B.A. 1982, Juris Doctorate 1985 and wife Mary B.A. 1982; Kyle Krause, B.A. 1985 and wife Sharon Executive MBA gradate 1994; Kate Krause Prange, B.A. 1989 and husband David, B.A. 1988.
A.J. Krause, Kevin’s daughter, is following the family tradition as the third generation to attend the University of Iowa.
Kevin Krause
• President of the Swing of the Quad Cities Minor League Baseball Team
Kevin graduated from the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Law. He is a member of the Executive Committee and first Vice President of the National I-Club Board of Directors. Kevin is the incoming president of the National I-Club. His father, W.A. Krause also served as the president of the National I-Club, making it the first time that father and son have served as National I-Club presidents.
Kevin was the youngest person named to the National I-Club Board when he was nominated in 1993. During his time at Iowa, Kevin was Herky the Hawk, the University of Iowa’s mascot for the sports programs. Kevin was Herky at the 1982 Rose Bowl.
Kevin and his wife Mary, who also graduated from the University of Iowa, have three children: daughters A.J. (currently a freshman at the University of Iowa) and Morgan, and son Bo.
Kyle Krause
• President of Kum & Go
• Owner and president of Solar Transport, the largest Iowa-based refined fuel transporter
• Owner of the Des Moines Menace, a Premier Development League soccer club
Kyle received a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa. While attending UI he was an active member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Kyle delivered the 2001 commencement speech at the Henry B. Tippie College of Business.
Kyle assists his father, W.A. Krause, with coordination of the Krause Challenge, an educational investment-management program at the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University and Drake University the Krauses founded. Additionally, Kyle’s wife, Sharon, is an Executive MBA graduate from the University of Iowa.
Kyle and Sharon have five children: Ryan, Tanner, Elliott, Oliver and Emily.
Kate Krause-Prange
• Fashion Designer and Owner of Shop Girl and Swell Chic Maternity
Kate attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 1989 from the Home Economics department with an emphasis in business. At the University of Iowa, Kate developed her fashion design skills by releasing her first prototype jean. She also has a BA from the International Academy of Design in Interior Design.
Kate was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Kate’s husband, David graduated from the University of Iowa in 1988.
Kate and David have four children: daughters Ellen, Amelia, Maeve and son David “Conner”.