"We haven't met but wanted to express my sentiments. I work at IUPUI at HELPnet and have worked with the Urban Center staff in preparing email newsletters. I am very saddened with the news of Nonie's accident and passing and I offer my condolences to her friends and family. "
In loving memory of
Eleanor "Nonie" Krauss
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Eleanor ?Nonie? Werbe Krauss of Indianapolis died Sunday. She was 57, and was struck by a car while walking her dog, Cubby.
Born Oct. 6, 1949 in Indianapolis, Nonie was named for her great aunt, who went by the same nickname. When people mispronounced it, Mrs. Krauss would point to her leg and explain, ?No knee.?
The descendant of a venerable Indianapolis family (her great grandmother, Mrs. John N. Carey, was a founder of the Children?s Museum), Nonie attended Tudor Hall School in Indianapolis. Her future husband, John L. Krauss, attended nearby Park School. Although the two attended the same dance class, they didn?t know one another well. They reconnected in 1989 at a conservation conference. By then, she was working for The Nature Conservancy and he was deputy mayor of Indianapolis. They were married on June 29, 1991.
?I?ve lost my best friend,? said John Krauss.
Nonie earned her bachelor?s in art history from Connecticut College, and a second in biology from the University of Colorado, where she also earned a master?s in Alpine plant ecology. She completed her thesis along the Alaskan pipeline, and was in Prudho Bay the day oil first flowed there. Two decades ago, she also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Before her marriage, Nonie was development director for The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, and state development director for Arizona?s Nature Conservancy. She also worked as volunteer and then as development coordinator for the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. She also served on the board of the Central Indiana Land Trust and headed its development committee.
At the time of her death, Nonie was a life member of The Nature Conservancy, an advisory board member of the Central Indiana Land Trust, secretary of the Indianapolis Garden Club, and a member of the Dramatic Club of Indianapolis. An avid birder, Nonie had a lifelong list of more than 600 birds.
?Nonie loved life,? said her husband. ?She loved things that coo and fly, things that had four legs, things that were green and flowering. We live along Williams Creek and we?d sit in the sage, waiting for the wood ducks to come.?
Five years ago, Nonie?s love of animals led her to rescue an abused dog, a Chow/Golden she named Cubby. ?Chow?s are known for bonding with one person,? said Krauss. ?For Cubby, that one person was Nonie. Because of her, he?s had five years of life he never would have had.?
The Krauss? also enjoyed traveling. This past summer, they acted on Nonie?s long-time dream to go on a professional birding trip. They spent time at Adak Island, the Aleutians, Nome and St. Lawrence Island in Alaska. Then, they visited Gambel, where they sat on the coast, looking west to Siberia across the International Date Line.
?Tomorrow looks pretty good,? they decided.
In addition to her husband, Nonie Krauss is survived by three siblings: Ann Werbe Wallace of Indianapolis; Thomas C. ?Tim? Werbe III of Greenwich, Conn. and Daniel S. Werbe of Zionsville, as well as six nephews and nieces, and eight great nephews and nieces. Her beloved Cubby survived the accident that took her life.
Calling is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the third-floor McFarland Hall, Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. The funeral, officiated by former Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut, will be at Second Presbyterian at noon Friday. Interment will be in a private ceremony to follow. Arrangements are by Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. or the Memorial Fund of the Indianapolis Garden Club.
Tributes
"John,The loss of a loved one is much to bear. Be sure that our prayers are with you and may God see you through this trying time for you and your family."
"Nonie was one of my neighbors for about 10 years. She was a friend to me and also my pets. She always had an extra treat for Fritz (my dog) when she saw him on our walks or in the yard. On my moving day she offered to keep all 3 pets at her house so they wouldn't be confused. Once (at my new home) she brought Cubby over to see Fritz and we all went for a walk again. Nonie was a special lady and I will miss her!"
"John, my thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. I did not meet your wife but from what I have heard she was a truly exceptional person. Ian Rolland"
"Having known Nonie for nearly 10 years, I've been lucky enough to share many special moments with her. I admired her passion and sought her advice and assistance in both professional and personal matters. She was a dedicated conservationist and recognized and valued the significance of the natural world. For those of us that loved her that she leaves behind: John, her beloved pets, especially Cubby, her family and friends, may we all find comfort in our memories of this smiling blonde firecracker."
"Nonie was an amazing person and we are fortunate that we had the pleasure of knowing her as our paths occasionally crossed through the years. Her passion for life, for giving to her community and to the protection of the natural world was truly remarkable. Our thoughts and sympathies are with John, her family and friends. "
"John - Nonie was a wonderful spirit and her walks with Cubby through the neighborhood will be missed. Verletta and I were in Colorado when we learned about the accident. We will be praying for you during this time of tragic loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to ease your pain."
"John, I am so sorry about your loss. Nonie made such a huge contribution to CILTI's growth. I am grateful for the chance to learn from her, and will continue to celebrate her passion for our magnificent planet and her commitment to working to preserve nature.You and all her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. "
"PRAYERS TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY .. "
"John - Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. God bless you, Nonie and your family."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to Nonie's family. She was a delightful person with a warm and engaging personality who saw life through such a positive viewpoint. Even casual acquaintences felt like old friends. The whole community is diminished by her loss. "
"John,My family and I extend our sincere thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this time of your tragic loss. May the hand of God and his spirit touch you and be with you now and forever."
"John, I know you will miss Nonie very much. I have not been able to connect with her for more than ten years since the days of working with her at The Nature Conservancy and for that I am regretful. I miss her very much. Nonie was an inspiration and a mentor of mine. I will always remember everything she stood for. God Bless you and the family. "
"Mr. Krauss, you do not know me but I work for Clarian Health at he CPL Building on the canal and I just wanted you to know how very sorry and sad to read of your wife's death. I know I have seen her some place but I cannot recall just where. Maybe here at the University Hospital or many of the volunteer organizations I am affiliated with. However, my heart, sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family and all the friends that knew her. She sounds like a beautiful, wonderful and "special" lady and I am so sorry she was taken away from you and her dog "Cubby" he sounds like a very "special" dog and I am sure he will miss her terribly. I have a Bischun and I know how one can love their pet.My thoughts and good wishes are with you and if you are ever by the canal I will tell you personally how much I hated to read about you losing the one you loved so much.With regards and prayers,Bettina Higgens"
"Mr. Krauss,I don't know if you remember me, but I used to pet sit for Cubby and the cats a few years ago. I feel honered to have known Nonie. We spent much time visiting and sharing our love of animals and nature. Cubby trusted me...something that did not come easily...and from that came the trust of your beautiful wife. She called about a year ago to see if I had returned to pet sitting...I wish that I would have said yes.I am so very sorry for this great loss of yours. My heart shares in your sadness. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help....I would love to see Cubby again. I'm just up the road.Many Blessings,Hillary CoonsHillary Coons"
"To John and the Indiana conservation community: my thoughts are with you during this time of tragic loss. Nonie was a truly dedicated, passionate and talented individual who taught and inspired."
"I've known Nonie so long that I can't even remember when I met her - she was living in that upstairs set of rooms on Pine Street in Boulder and hadn't yet finished her bachelor's. I bet I was her TA for Alpine Ecology or Plant Ecology and that is how we met.We went to graduate school together and worked at INSTAAR together. I remember long discussions about the effects of dust on plant growth and how to measure leaf size along the construction roads near Prudhoe. It was all so long ago that it was possible for us to confuse the keypunch machine for the computer at CU and to oh so carefully guard those keypunched computer cards. I remember her consulting work in the West and her woes and sorrows with friends and acquaintances out here.When we came to her wedding it was a great thrill of my life - having just gotten a private pilot's license and flying into that little airport in downtown Indianapolis.I remember her trials and tribulations with family and how she reconciled and integrated the desire to be away with the desire to be close to her origins. I remember field trips and bird trips and what would now be called glamor photographs and always her passion for people and places and relationships.I remember her house in Denver - once again an unusual upstairs dwelling. And I have great photos of Nonie at my wedding, which if you would like copies I wll be glad to send. We were all so young. and she seems young still to me - I will always remember her as young in my heart, where your friends never grow old.I am glad she liked dogs and had a good dog friend. I am happy that she was happy with you John, although I only met you the once at the wedding. And what a lovely nature like dwelling you all had together in the middle of the city - the very epitome of Nonie living in nature and in civilization.I looked to see if I could come to the funeral service but it is impossible given the timeframe. I believe Nonie would actually prefer that I donate the value of the ticket to one of her charities and send my best memories with her as she makes this next great travelling.My very profound sympathies to you, John, and to the rest of her family and yours. I won't miss her as she is with me as she has been these many years in good memories, but you have a great daily void that only dear memories will help to fill.Bless you most sincerelyMickey Steward (Deborah Steward)Buffalo, Wyoming"
"Mr. Krauss:We have never met and I did not know your wife. I still felt compelled to write. My name is Greg Hess. I am a paramedic/firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department. Prior to the recent merger I was with Washington Township Fire Department for over 25 years as a paramedic/firefighter. On Sunday morning, I was the acting EMS supervisor and responded to the run on your wife. When I arrived, she was receiving state-of-the-art prehospital care. I assisted both on the scene and alongside your wife during her transport to the Methodist Trauma Center. During her transport to the ER she had 4 EMS professionals provinding the absolute very best pre-hospital care possible. Your wife's inuries were so severe that despite our years of training, our dedication and having the best equipment available our efforts did not change the eventual outcome. That is one of the most difficult and frustratiing aspects of our profession...realizing that even with the technology, the training, and the dedication that many times the outcome is beyond human control. We also share in the anguish of losing someone.....obviously not to the depth that you are dealing with though. It is my hope that this might bring at least some solace to you in knowing that everything humanly possible was done to try to save your loved one's life. "
"Dear Mr. Krauss,We have not been in contact for many years, but I wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your wife. Knowing the kind of person you are, and reading your words in her life story, compelled me to write and offer my sincerest thoughts and prayers -- for you and your wife."
""All our yesterdays are a memoryAnd all our tomorrows are a hope.But, every day well lived Makes all or yesterdays a memory of joyAnd all our tomorrows a faith for today."We all know that Nonie had so many "days well lived" that we'll all have many memories of joy when we recall our times together. I, like Deborah (aka Mickey) Steward, have known Nonie for about 34 years...with oh so many great memories: field trips associated with CU Boulder graduate school; aspen-wood steak cookouts with John Marr and crew; learning to roll kayaks in Boulder lakes and reservoirs; x-country ski trips in the Rockies; getting caught out over night on a ski from Rabbit Ears Pass to Mt. Warner; digging Nonie out of the snow of a "tree bowl" on what is now Beaver Creek Ski Area, climbing Mt. Yale ( a 14'er) when Nonie really wanted us to do Mt. Princeton (her father's alma mater?); cycling from Granby to Boulder over Berthoud Pass because Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mt. National Park was closed due to snow; watching Nonie roll around with our retired sled dog at our home in Littleton, after which time the dog jumped into her lap in your rental car because he liked her so much...and the list goes on and on! These and other great memories will be with us always. But, I'll miss seeing Nonie's smiling face and hearing her call "Boycie-boy!" when we'd meet or talk on the phone.John, I know that you, too, have many good memories of your time together...may they "warm your heart " forever. Our thoughts are with you, Ann, Tim, Daniel and the rest of the family. Nonie, may you rest in peace. You will be missed but not forgotten!"
"My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of Nonie's sudden passing. We wish to send our condolences to her family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this difficult time."
"John, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Jovita Williams"
"Dear John,I was so saddened to hear about the passing of your best friend, your wife. We have worked with you and IU Urban Center for years and we feel like you and your staff are family of ours. We will put you in our continual prayers that God strengthen you and give you what you need to face each and every day. Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything. All our love and support, The Entire Staff of King's Copies"
"John, my heart goes out to you and the family in Nonie's tragic passing. You will all be in my prayers. Barbara Steffel (Assistant to John Mutz)"
"John,We extend sincere condolences to you and your family at this untimely loss of Nonie "
"Dear John,I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Nonie's death. I only heard this morning on my walk , Oct. 5th.I live at Springmill Lakes and would many times meet Nonie on our walks, (she with Cubby). We enjoyed conversations about nature, animals, conservation etc. It was always a pleasure to see them both.What a tragedy to lose someone who still had so much to give. Nonie's death is a great loss to the community, animal welfare, conservation, her many friends, and most of all, of course, to you, and her beloved Cubby.My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"To Nonie's Family,I attended Tudor and knew Nonie back in the 60's. She was always fun loving and energetic. One day several years ago, I happened to be in Wild Birds Unlimited, talking with Jane Trotter, when Nonie came into the store. I hadn't seen her for years but a spirited bird discussion ensued. Since Tudor days, I came to find that we shared very similar interests. I extend to you my deepest sympathy. Your family and our local community have been enriched by her presence. I know she will be sorely missed. Judy Armstrong, '66' "
"For everyone Life brings unexpected times of joy and pain. John, this unexpected time of pain is touching everyone who has known you and Nonie . . . and even though some of us cannot be with you in person we are with you in spirit . . . sharing your grief and holding you in our hearts."
"My deepest condolences go out to you and your family at this time. May the Spirit bless you all.Stormy "
"I went to school with Nonie at Tudor Hall. She was a year ahead of me, but we were in some classes and activities together. She was always friendly and fun to be around.When she graduated, she signed my yearbook as follows:"This sounds trite, but I do wish you sincere luck for your senior year. Please try not to have antagonism in your class. I guarantee that your senior year will mean so much more to all of you if you're really close and friendly with one another." She was only seventeen.I ran into Nonie only a few times in the last 40 years, but I was always glad to see her. My sincerest condolences to her whole family."
"Dear John- Nonie was a classmate, Tudor Hall '67. She was one of a group of us who kept in touch over the years. She hosted a reunion luncheon at the Eiteljorg and a gathering at your home one year. I am so very glad that i was able to attend our 40th reunion this spring and have some time to catch up with her. She was an intelligent, gracious, accomplished woman, taken from us too soon. My prayers go out to you, Cubby, and her siblings, and i will hold her memory in my heart."
"John, I want you to know that my thoughts are with you during this time of tremendous loss."
"Dear John, Its been so many years since I've seen Nonie, yet I can still hear her laugh. You and Nonie were a large part of my childhood and I am so sorry for your tragic loss.My thoughts are very much with you. Take care, John"
"To the entire family,On behalf of the Connecticut College Community, please accept our condolences on your loss.Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.Sincerely,Bridget McShaneDirector of Alumni RelationsConnecticut College270 Mohegan AvenueNew London, CT 06320"
"I just returned from a trip overseas and heard of Nonie's passing. She will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you John."
"Dear John, This heartbreaking time is touching all who have known both you and Nonie. While I've not seen either of you for many years, I hold wonderful memories of you both in my heart and hope that there is some small help in knowing that you are surrounded by love. Georgie"
"Dear John,I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I was a friend of Nonie at Connecticut College. I just read of her passing in the alumni magazine and wanted to extend my sincere condolences to you. I don't need to tell you what a fantastic person Nonie was--so upbeat and full of life. After graduation, we went on a wilderness canoe trip down the Green River with several other Conn friends along with some friends from Brown. What an adventure! Jumping from high rocks into the river and exploring a log cabin said to be a hiding place for rustlers. So many memories of happy times with a lovely friend.Again, my sincere condolences.Joan "
"I want to extend my deepest sympathy to all of Nonie's family and friends. Like Joan, I was a friend of Nonie's at Connecticut College. Although we lost contact over the years, I look back on those times and the experiences we shared with joy. I have missed her friendship and her spirit. "