Virgil F. Kremer, 81, Frankenstein, passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at Eldon Nursing and Rehab Facility.
He was born March 22, 1942, to the late Paul and Elizabeth (Troesser) Kremer in Frankenstein.
He was a 1960 graduate of Fatima High School. After high school Virgil attended Bailey Technical School in St. Louis for auto mechanics. He then took a position with Knollmeyer Motors in Linn as a mechanic.
Virgil’s skills were noticed in the industry and he was sought out for management. He took a management position with Capital City Ford in Jefferson City and remained employed at the dealership through several ownerships, Joe Machens Ford and Mike Kehoe Ford. Virgil held many titles through the years including mechanic, body shop manager, parts and service manager and facilities manager. He retired from the dealership in 2021 having a career he loved for 45 years.
Virgil was united in marriage to Sharon Ann Broker April 27, 1963, in Frankenstein. She preceded him in death Oct. 24, 1969. He was then united in marriage to Joyce Elaine Jaegers April 3, 1971, in Columbia. She preceded him in death March 2, 2018.
As a young man, Virgil loved to hunt and fish which continued to be a passion and love of his entire life. He spent many weekends in the woods of Missouri hunting nearly all game. You might even have seen him hauling home “river salvage” because if it was in the water he thought he could use it in some form or fashion. It went home with him, he saved everything!
Virgil was described by some as a workaholic. He worked at the dealership by day and came home to the farm, working on the farm evenings and weekends. He truly loved raising cattle and took pride in his small herd. Virgil could often be found fixing fence or cutting wood and riding around the farm in his John Deere gator. He knew every inch of his farm and walked it often. Virgil loved giving the grandkids a ride on the tractor or the John Deere gator and enjoyed fishing or hunting with his grandchildren and sons-in-law. Virgil enjoyed seeing his daughters come home because he loved his family.
He was a member of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Frankenstein and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was very devoted to his catholic faith. A rosary was always close and he could be found in solitude praying.
Virgil was preceded in death by both spouses, Sharon and Joyce; parents, Paul and Elizabeth; brother, Richard Kremer; and sisters, Annabelle Brandt and Theresa Schmidt.
He is survived by daughters, Christy Kremer and fiancée, Brad Smith of Cape Girardeau, Beth Boehm and husband Troy of Rich Fountain, Linda Pfahl and husband Mike of Loose Creek and Kathy Stegeman and husband Jeffrey “JT” of Wardsville; brothers, James Kremer of Frankenstein, Luke Kremer and wife Marion of Loose Creek, Vincent Kremer and wife Martha of Jefferson City, Joseph Kremer and wife Debbie of Jefferson City, Jerry Kremer and wife Teddy of Westphalia and Patrick Kremer and wife Rhonda of Linn; sisters, Bernadine Brandt of Linn, Paulette Peters of Linn, Mary Keilholz of Chamois, Margaret Salmons and husband Lyndell of New Bloomfield and Dolores Boss and husband William of St. Martin; grandchildren, Chelsey Hedges, Wade Boehm and fiancée Abbey Eskens, Logan Wilbers, Tyler Wilbers and wife Megan, Kaitlyn Wilbers, Madison Weber, and husband Caleb and Megan Pfahl; great-grandchildren, Jocelyn and Hallie Hedges, Jensen Welschmeyer, Carter Weber and baby Weber due May of 2024; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held from 9 until 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Frankenstein followed by Mass of Christian Burial with Fr. Colin Franklin officiating. Interment will follow in Garden of Gethsemane Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to the Virgil Kremer Family to purchase a memorial item for the community in memory of Virgil or St. Mary’s School.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
