Lucile Krug

Lucile Krug, age 100, of Milwaukee, died on Wednesday, August 17. She and her twin sister were born on September 21, 1915 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois to Ralph and Mabel Ransom. Her great smile and passion for life will be remembered by her nieces and nephews: Dr. C. R. Gallistel (Rochel Gelman), Dr. Lucie Colvin Seward (Theodore), Susan Gallistel Levy (Victor), Anthony Albert Gallistel, John Knight; and by six grand nephews and seven great grand nieces and nephews. She will be sorely missed by her dear friends, including Val Stonek and Joan Herschberg. She was pre-deceased by her husband Richard Krug, and her sister Elizabeth Gallistel.
Lu earned a Bachelor's degree summa cum laude at the University of Wisconsin--Madison in 1936 and her Master's in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee in 1966. She moved from Madison to Milwaukee and married Eugene Richard (Dick) E. Krug September 28, 1938 in Madison, Wisconsin. Richard Krug was the Director of the Milwaukee Public library system, and they were lifelong patrons and supporters of the library, establishing the Rare Books Room at the Central Library and the Community Room at the new North Branch. Lu was an avid reader, primarily biographies and world politics, reflecting her keen interest in the great people who moved world events.
She devoted her time to making her community a better place for all. Mayor Zeidler appointed her to the Human Rights Commission and later she was Chair of the Milwaukee Commission on Community Relations She worked for the Urban League to establish fair housing, and worked as a psychiatric social worker at Children's Hospital. Born at a time when women did not have the right to vote, she became President of the Milwaukee League of Women Voters and is sad that she just missed the opportunity to help elect the country's first woman President. She was honored to have met John F Kennedy, and took both Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Mead to lunch.
Lu traveled the world, first with her husband and later with her sister, family and friends. She toured the Soviet Union and many of the countries which were still behind the Iron Curtain, went to China soon after it opened to US travel, visited much of South America, climbed Mount Sinai, saw prehistoric rock paintings in Tanzania with Mary Leakey, celebrated her 75th birthday at Jane Goodall's Gombe Stream camp, and yachted the coast of Turkey with family when she was 80 years old. Lu learned to cross country ski in her sixties and spent many wonderful vacations with her sister, nieces and nephews, and friends in Snowmass Colorado and Block Island Rhode Island.
Lu's bright smile shone out as she gave her undivided attention to each person she met. Her bright intellect kept her engaged with world events, and winning at Scrabble, past her 100th birthday.
Lu was an active member of the First Unitarian Society and was fascinated by the works of the humanist Max Otto. A memorial service and reception will be held at 12 noon on Sunday, August 28 at the First Unitarian Society, 1342 N Astor St, Milwaukee, WI 53202. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milwaukee Public Library or the First Unitarian Society.

Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI
608-238-3434