Kurt Herbert Krahn

Kurt Herbert Krahn, age 96, died surrounded by family in Hudson on Friday, August 30, 2024. The retired public relations director was born near Mayville to Ewald and Margaret (Mueller) Krahn on June 9, 1928. He grew up in Wausau, where he was active in Boy Scouting and school activities, graduating from Wausau High School in 1947.

He met his beloved wife, Joyce (Braeger) Krahn, at University of Wisconsin, where he was president of his fraternity and earned a B.S. in Journalism. They married at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, June 14, 1952. Following active-duty service in the Naval Reserve in Guam, he and Joyce lived in Milwaukee and Madison, where they raised three children.

Kurt was active on state boards with the Wisconsin Press Association, and various non-profits as well as the Boy Scouts. In retirement, he and Joyce moved to lake life outside Rhinelander, where they lived for more than three decades. He was co-founder of WXPR – 91.7FM, Rhinelander’s local independent public radio station, author of a “Mostly Music” newspaper column, and longtime WXPR “Your Favorites” host.

Kurt was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Roy and wife Karen, his son David, and dear first cousins Donald C. Prehn and wife Patte, Delos Prehn, Jr., and close friend David Nordgren. Surviving is his wife Joyce, daughter Rev. Kathryn Tulman (Jon) Rhinelander, son Kurt C. Krahn (Katherine), Afton, Minn; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; cousin David Prehn, Jupiter, Fla.; and additional nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services for Kurt H. Krahn will be held at Bethel (Highlands) Lutheran Church, Hudson, on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 11 a.m., with a visitation one hour prior. 

Private interment will take place at a later date. O’Connell Funeral Home, Hudson https://oconnellfuneralhomes.com/ is handling the arrangements.