“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 Jeffrey Wade Krakow, 69, of Columbus, WI passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. He was able to continue his service to others through organ donation. Jeffrey was born onContinue Reading
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16
Jeffrey Wade Krakow, 69, of Columbus, WI passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. He was able to continue his service to others through organ donation.
Jeffrey was born on April 1, 1956 in Columbus to Arden and Geraldine (Franz) Krakow. He was a graduate of Fall River High School. He attended UW-Madison and also received his Evangelism certificate from Martin Luther College which he was very proud to accomplish. Jeff served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years and later in the Marine Corps Reserves. He was employed with the U.S. Postal Service in Columbus, and later in Madison where he retired. In retirement Jeff enjoyed driving special needs children to school with Lamers bus company. Jeff was married to Melody Weihert on May 16, 1981 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Columbus.
Jeff lived a life of service to others and to the Lord. He was a faithful and very active member of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Columbus where he was called to visit homebound members. He was a proud life member of the Marine Corps League Det. #359 and was currently serving as Assistant Vice Commandant of Central Division. He was also a life member of the American Legion Post #62. Jeff enjoyed coaching for Wodill’s softball team. He loved coaching his daughters’ basketball and volleyball teams at Zion School.
Jeff is survived by his wife Melody of Columbus; his daughters: Mamie (Timothy) Nickel of Kaukauna and Katrina (Philip) Meinel of Verona; seven grandchildren: Jonah, Julia, and Jasmine Toppe, and Grace, Noel, Josiah, and James Meinel; siblings: Judy Wedeward, Steve (Tina) Krakow, Beth (Tom) Stout, Sue Krakow, Josephine Sennhenn, Patricia (Kevin) Welch, Rodney (Melissa) Krakow, Barbi Kemper, and Kenneth (Lisa) Krakow; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers: Andrew and Henry.
A memorial gathering will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Columbus on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., and on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. until the time of the Christian funeral at 11 a.m. Rev. Tim Schwartz and Rev. Ben Zuberbier will officiate. Military honors will immediately follow the funeral at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church in Columbus.
Chris Fabio
left a message on December 4, 2025:
Sending prayers your way.
Chris Fabio
left a message on December 4, 2025:
Sending prayers your way.
Jill and Travis Krakow and Angela Johnson
left a message on December 4, 2025:
Jill Krakow
left a message on December 4, 2025:
My heart goes out to Melody her family and the Krakow family. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I'm thinking of all of you and sending strength and prayers during this difficult time.
Barbi Kemper family
left a message on December 3, 2025:
Bill & Julia Hoffman
left a message on December 3, 2025:
Our condolences to Melody and family.
Anonymous
left a message on December 3, 2025:
Badger Honor Flight
left a message on December 2, 2025:
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of Jeffrey Krakow. We are forever grateful for his service to our great country. What an honor it was for us to take him on his well-deserved trip of a lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Joyce Shepard
left a message on December 2, 2025:
I was shocked to just read this about Jeff. My sincere condolences to Melody and family. May he rest in peace. Semper Fi Marine
Janice Daly
left a message on December 1, 2025:
I was shocked to hear the news. My deepest condolences to you Melody and your whole family. I remember when Jeff was there for me on the very first day of driving school bus for my first afternoon route full of students on the very first day of school over 12 years ago! He had such a gentle confidence building way about him through his light hearted comical nature.
James D Pelkey
left a message on December 1, 2025:
Rest in Peace Jeff and Semper Fidelis Marine!
Craig Weiland
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Melody and Family. My sincere condolences on the passing of your loved one Jeff. I first met Jeff when I was in 7 grade at Zion, and he was an assistant coach. I was shocked to hear that he passed. Im praying for all of you in this devastating time. Rest in peace Jeff. You will be greatly missed.
Scot Hartman
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Melody, I was shocked to hear off the passing of Jeff.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
We said a little prayer for Jeff at my Pounds Growl today.
My first as the new Poundkeeper.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
If your up to it, maybe we three can have lunch together in August.
sincerely Scot and Faith
Anonymous
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Beth Stout
left a message on November 30, 2025:
My brother is the epitome of kindness, service, family, and togetherness. He has always been so welcoming to me and my family. This was so important to me when I came home. And Jeff knew this instinctually and I could not thank him enough. Above all of his other lifetime accomplishments, being a great brother is the one I felt the most. I will love him forever and I will miss the fact that I will never see him again on this earth. He and I had great talks and he gave great hugs. My little brother made me proud every day.
Jamie Rennhack
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Adam and I send our condolences to Melody and family. It was an honor to have met Jeff, and share memories made with him. Our thoughts and prayers to the family.
Lori Rubio
left a message on November 30, 2025:
My deepest sympathies to the family. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Don Veselk
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Melody and family, so sorry for your loss. I only recently met the both of you at MCL gatherings. May God watch over you and family ever closer during this time.
Cheryl Hoffman
left a message on November 30, 2025:
My Fondest Memories when I'm working at the Crossing Guard when I would stop Traffic and it would be Jeff and he would be looking at me shaking his head Thinking really Cheryl i got a job to do and I'm on a time limit ❤️🙏 R.I.P. JEFF YOU'LL BE SADLY MISSED Thank you for All what you did.
Paul W Flath
left a message on November 29, 2025:
I was saddened to hearing of Jeff's passing. I knew him as a good, happy, friendly and caring person. He did so much for Zion and don't even know everything he did with all his other activities. He will be missed and prayers and thoughts for the family. God be with you.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Chris Fabio
left a message on December 4, 2025:
Sending prayers your way.
Chris Fabio
left a message on December 4, 2025:
Sending prayers your way.
Jill and Travis Krakow and Angela Johnson
left a message on December 4, 2025:
Jill Krakow
left a message on December 4, 2025:
My heart goes out to Melody her family and the Krakow family. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I'm thinking of all of you and sending strength and prayers during this difficult time.
Barbi Kemper family
left a message on December 3, 2025:
Bill & Julia Hoffman
left a message on December 3, 2025:
Our condolences to Melody and family.
Anonymous
left a message on December 3, 2025:
Badger Honor Flight
left a message on December 2, 2025:
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of Jeffrey Krakow. We are forever grateful for his service to our great country. What an honor it was for us to take him on his well-deserved trip of a lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Joyce Shepard
left a message on December 2, 2025:
I was shocked to just read this about Jeff. My sincere condolences to Melody and family. May he rest in peace. Semper Fi Marine
Janice Daly
left a message on December 1, 2025:
I was shocked to hear the news. My deepest condolences to you Melody and your whole family. I remember when Jeff was there for me on the very first day of driving school bus for my first afternoon route full of students on the very first day of school over 12 years ago! He had such a gentle confidence building way about him through his light hearted comical nature.
James D Pelkey
left a message on December 1, 2025:
Rest in Peace Jeff and Semper Fidelis Marine!
Craig Weiland
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Melody and Family. My sincere condolences on the passing of your loved one Jeff. I first met Jeff when I was in 7 grade at Zion, and he was an assistant coach. I was shocked to hear that he passed. Im praying for all of you in this devastating time. Rest in peace Jeff. You will be greatly missed.
Scot Hartman
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Melody, I was shocked to hear off the passing of Jeff.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
We said a little prayer for Jeff at my Pounds Growl today.
My first as the new Poundkeeper.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
If your up to it, maybe we three can have lunch together in August.
sincerely Scot and Faith
Anonymous
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Beth Stout
left a message on November 30, 2025:
My brother is the epitome of kindness, service, family, and togetherness. He has always been so welcoming to me and my family. This was so important to me when I came home. And Jeff knew this instinctually and I could not thank him enough. Above all of his other lifetime accomplishments, being a great brother is the one I felt the most. I will love him forever and I will miss the fact that I will never see him again on this earth. He and I had great talks and he gave great hugs. My little brother made me proud every day.
Jamie Rennhack
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Adam and I send our condolences to Melody and family. It was an honor to have met Jeff, and share memories made with him. Our thoughts and prayers to the family.
Lori Rubio
left a message on November 30, 2025:
My deepest sympathies to the family. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Don Veselk
left a message on November 30, 2025:
Melody and family, so sorry for your loss. I only recently met the both of you at MCL gatherings. May God watch over you and family ever closer during this time.
Cheryl Hoffman
left a message on November 30, 2025:
My Fondest Memories when I'm working at the Crossing Guard when I would stop Traffic and it would be Jeff and he would be looking at me shaking his head Thinking really Cheryl i got a job to do and I'm on a time limit ❤️🙏 R.I.P. JEFF YOU'LL BE SADLY MISSED Thank you for All what you did.
Paul W Flath
left a message on November 29, 2025:
I was saddened to hearing of Jeff's passing. I knew him as a good, happy, friendly and caring person. He did so much for Zion and don't even know everything he did with all his other activities. He will be missed and prayers and thoughts for the family. God be with you.
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