Wilfred Henry “Ferdie” Kremer, 97, Frankenstein, passed away Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Westphalia Hills Retirement Home.
He was born Sept. 2, 1926, to the late Adolph and Anna (Samson) Kremer on the family farm near Frankenstein.
He worked on the farm with his father and attended Frankenstein High School.
Ferdie was united in marriage to Mary Ann Broker Oct. 29, 1949, at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Frankenstein.
He lived nearly all his life on the family farm just south of Frankenstein and along with Mary Ann raised seven children.
In 1945, Ferdie enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was aboard the cruiser USS Pittsburgh preparing for the invasion of Japan when the atomic bombs were released over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He often mentioned “Thanks, Harry!”, crediting President Truman for the abrupt end of World War II and saving his and countless numbers of lives of American invasive forces.
Ferdie returned to the family farm, which he eventually bought, and operated it as a diversified crop and livestock farm for over 75 years. He was particularly satisfied that he was a true full-time family farmer, never having an outside job and never incurring debt. His favorite activities on the farm were raising corn, feeding beef cattle and fattening hogs.
In addition to supporting his family, Ferdie was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians church, a member of the Holy Name Society, a member of the parish council and St. Marys School Board, and an avid contributor to all social events held by the parish throughout the year.
Over the years, he had various interests including rabbit hunting, playing cards and a brief dabbling in buying and trading Ford Mustang cars, but his greatest enjoyment came with many nights out dancing with Mary Ann. Ferdie valued times spent with family and friends. He enjoyed gatherings with his siblings, seven children, nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. He was a dedicated and reliable father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a pleasant friend to all.
Ferdie was preceded in death by wife of 72 years, Mary Ann; parents, Adolph and Anna; and sisters, Sister Florence, Evelyn Troesser, Roselyn Greaves, Catherine Hamner and Marie Anne Davis.
He is survived by children, Robert Kremer and wife Mo of Columbia, Joyce Weidinger and husband Mark of Vienna, Deb Hammond of Eagle River, Wis., Russ Kremer of Frankenstein, Karen Muenks and husband Glenn of Loose Creek, Marie Searle and husband Wynn of Lewisville, Texas and Roberta Rader and husband Jason of Springfield; sisters, Marcella Maassan of St. Peters and Germaine Kremer of Oslo, Norway; grandchildren, Andy Kremer, Erin Moore, Angie Schwartze, Kelley Hagemeyer, David Weidinger, Connor and Claire Muenks, Anna and Jeremy Rader; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21 and from 9 to 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at Our Lady Helps of Christians Catholic Church followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., with Fr. Colin Franklin officiating. Interment will be in the Garden of Gethsemane Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorial contributions suggested to St. Croix Hospice, St. Marys School or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
