 Born in Dresden, Krauß was a member of Dresdner SC, where she was discovered and trained by the influential coach Woldemar Gerschler.She won the national women's title in the 100 metres from 1934 through 1938, in the 200 metres in 1932, 1934, and 1938 (in 1931 and 1933 she took second), and in the long jump and the pentathlon in 1937, and was on the national champion Dresdner SC 4 × 100 metre relay teams in 1932 and 1936.At the 1934 Women's World Games in London, she won gold medals in the 100 metres (11.9 s), the 200 metres (24.9 s), and the 4 × 100 metre relay (48.6 s), and the bronze medal in discus (39.875 m).