MaDonna Kremer

In Loving Memory Of

Madonna Kremer

MaDonna Odelia (Hermeling), Donna to her family and friends, was born on August 25, 1922 in Iona, Minnesota. She passed away at Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda, MN on April 29, 2022, at the age of 99. Donna, the fourth of twelve children of William and Odelia (Miller) Hermeling, grew up on the family farm and attended St. Columba school until her Junior year. She boarded in Fulda with the Penrod family during her last two years, graduating in 1940. After high school, Donna worked in Fulda at Josephine Appel’s maternity home. In 1943, she moved to Kansas City, worked in a maternity hospital there, and lived with her older sister Alice and her family.  Donna met the love of her life, Ray Kremer, after a dance in Slayton in 1940. She’d gone to the dance with her older brother Joe and his date. Ray was hitchhiking to his home in Wilmont, returning from his job as a truck driver with the Civilian Conservation Corp near New Ulm, MN. They picked Ray up, and the rest, as they say, is history. Donna worked various jobs around southwest Minnesota after Ray entered the Army-Air Force in August 1942. They were married on January 24, 1944 at St Columba Church in Iona, MN. She accompanied Ray to Langley Field, Virginia and worked in an office on the base until Ray was discharged in February 1946. They then moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where Ray attended barber college. Returning to Wilmont, Ray’s hometown, the Kremers remained there until Ray purchased a barber shop in Fulda in 1953. By this time, there were four young children in the family, so Donna’s work was in the home. Three more children were added to the family, and once they were old enough to be at home alone after school for a few hours, Donna began her 15-year nurse aid career at Maple Lawn Nursing home in Fulda, and retired in 1987. Ray suddenly passed away in January 1990. Prior to his passing, and after their children were grown, Ray and Donna enjoyed golfing, Canadian fishing trips, and other travels. Donna moved to the assisted living facility Maplewood Court in Fulda in July of 2012. Donna was an avid Twins fan, and during her time at Maplewood Court assembled countless jigsaw puzzles, and completed multiple search-a-word puzzles every day. She played a very competitive game of Scrabble, frequently winning, and always declared, “somebody has to win and somebody has to lose.” Donna attended St Gabriel’s Catholic church in Fulda since 1953.  She belonged to St Gabriel’s Ladies Aid, the rosary club, a quilting group, both VFW and Legion Auxiliaries, and the Pink Ladies. Donna very much enjoyed spending time with her family. She especially enjoyed attending sporting and other school events in which her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Donna was preceded in death by four infant children, Cathy, Donald, Barbara and Charlotte; her granddaughter Jodi (Kremer) Drake; her son-in-law Rich Clauson; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Alice and Leo Fehring, Lola and Jack Voss, Fidelis and Ray Hoffman, Betty and Harold Haar, Ivona and Tom Risacher, Arthur Slater, May and  Arthur Johnson, Mary and Don Olson; her brothers Jerome and Joseph; her sisters-in-law  Audry and Betty Hermeling; Ray’s sisters and brothers-in-law Esther and Isadore Einck, Lorraine and Art Remakel; Ray’s brother Alvin Kremer; and several nieces and nephews.  

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Randy & Kim Kremer of Fulda, MN, Linda Clauson of Fulda, MN, Tom Kremer of Arvada, Colorado, Pat & JoAnn Kremer of Isle, MN, Wanda & David Hoyt of Walnut Grove, MN, Jim & CJ Kremer of Worthington, MN, and Tim & Tami Kremer of Willmar, MN; her 14 grandchildren  Mathew, Amanda, and Annette Kremer; Jeffrey (Trena) Clauson, Terri (Clauson) (Erin) Elder, Mark (Kacie) Clauson, Dawn Clauson; Joe (Sheila) Kremer; Nicole, Allison (Kremer) (Ross) Johnson, and Alex (Kayla) Kremer; Timberly, Adam, and Lucas Kremer; her 13 great-grandchildren Kierstin (Zachary) Mergens, Jamie Streff, Evan Clauson; Marissa, Dawson, and Gavan Kremer; Kaden, Reegan, and Greyson Elder; Kade Serbus, Kali and Kiah Clauson; Talan Kremer; and her great-great-grandchildren Brinley and Breckyn Mergens, and Ashton Streff. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law: Bill (Shirley) Hermeling of Minnetonka, MN, Larry Hermeling of Fulda, MN and Jeannette Kremer of Omaha, NE.

Funeral Services

St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church Fulda, MN at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 5, 2022 with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting officiating.  The organist is Dana Hogan. The song leader is Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers are her grandchildren. Interment at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery Fulda, MN.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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