Memorial Service
Obituary of Elaine B. Krause
Elaine B. Krause, resident of Katonah for 55 years, died in hospice care on Jan 18th, 2026, surrounded by love. She was firstborn to “home kids,” Stella (Banklian) and Arthur Bertelsen, who grew up in the Fort Lee Christian Home for children, as second-generation Americans. They raised her in Weehawken, NJ, where she became valedictorian of her HS class (1962). Graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA, and went on to earn an MFA. In 1965, she eloped to Europe with the help of her old friend, Art Garfunkel, and married mayor’s son, beloved Paul B. during his Fulbright fellowship there.
Besides exhibiting and selling her art to famous collectors, she taught art in public school, SUNY and locally. Her early work, informed by her Armenian ancestry and love of color, explored geometry in large-scale paintings. And her later work? 3D innovations of “luminescent clusters” called “The Magic Garden Installation.”
Her husband’s architecture career gave her the freedom to thrive as a Renaissance woman. They had wide circles of notable friends and clients. His holiness the 16th Karmapa stayed with them during his trip to the USA in 1980. She believed his blessing helped conceive her daughter, Rachel B.
Transforming her home into an artistic, harmonious refuge was her passion. She loved to rise at dawn, tend to her garden with a white coat and surgical gloves, sing tirelessly at the piano, and practice yoga. Proud to be a sassy, and utterly creative woman, she was often the first one to dance, even when there was no music playing. In her final years, she was quick to crack a joke, trusting her amazing caregivers and loving family to give her quality of life.
Remaining to cherish Elaine are husband, Paul; daughter, Rachel, son in-law Sam; grandchildren, Thomas N.K. and Eliza B. Newbold; siblings Carol and Arthur; 11 nieces; 2 nephews; and many beautiful friends.
Memorial Service: Thursday, Feb 5th, 2026, at 3pm at the United Methodist Church: 5 Bedford Rd, Katonah, NY 10536
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations go to one of the following charities:
