Jerome Kraemer

It is with joy and sorrow that we announce the death of our precious and wonderful husband, father, brother, friend and all-around great human being. Jerome 'Jerry' passed into his new life on Wednesday evening, May 7, 2014 at his residence, Grand Arbor in Alexandria, MN from complications of advanced Parkinson's disease at the age of 79 years.
Jerry was born in Melrose, MN on December 2, 1934 and grew up with his loving family on the Kraemer farm in rural Osakis, MN. After graduating from Osakis High School, Jerry enlisted in the U S Army and served his country as a company clerk stationed in Korea. Upon returning, he graduated from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and worked as a Master Electrician in Minneapolis. He was united in marriage on June 3, 1961 to Carol Borgerding at Our Lady of Angels Church in Sauk Centre, MN and together they had 3 children and made a happy home in Minnetonka, MN. Jerry worked as a signal department supervisor for the Hennepin County Public Works department for over 33 years, beginning in February of 1965 until his retirement in 1998. In the year 2000, he and Carol moved to the family cabin on Lake Osakis and spent their winters in Mesa, AZ. They have resided in Alexandria since 2012. He was a member of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) # 292, the VFW and the Knights of Columbus organizations. He loved fishing, woodworking, golfing, traveling and spending time with his family. Jerry was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor and he taught us all the importance of patience, faith and laughter. Throughout his life, Jerry dealt with the adversities of health issues, even cancer and blindness, with great dignity. He never complained about anything knowing God was always his guide. There was never a time he wasn't willing to help someone and he volunteered his time in many ways. We all feel so blessed to have shared this time with him and will miss him, but feel great comfort in all the cherished memories he helped create.
Welcoming him with joy into the Kingdom of Heaven are his parents, John and Frances; an infant sister, Anna; brothers, Frank and John Kraemer and many other relatives and friends who have gone before him.
Missing him in sorrow is his loving wife of 53 years, Carol Kraemer of Alexandria; his children and their partners, Michael Kraemer (Janet) of Waukee, IA, Donna Crotteau (John) of Minneapolis, Sandy Weigel (Kevin) of Minnetonka; 8 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; a brother, Raymond (Joan) Kraemer of Alexandria; sisters, Vivian Marthaler of Sauk Centre, Betty Sand of Albany and Mary Jane Kane of Sauk Centre; many nieces and nephews and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 1:30 pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria with Fr. Steve Binsfeld officiating. There will be a visitation one hour before the service and a lunch following the Mass. A private family interment will follow at St. Alexius Cemetery in West Union, MN.