Wilfred "Ferdie" Henry Kremer

Wilfred Henry “Ferdie” Kremer, age 97, of Frankenstein, passed away Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Westphalia Hills Retirement Home.

Ferdie was born September 2, 1926, on the family farm near Frankenstein, the only son of Adolph and Anna (Samson) Kremer.

Ferdie worked on the farm with his father and attended Frankenstein High School.  

On October 29, 1949, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Broker at Our Lady Help of Christians church in Frankenstein.  She preceded him in death on February 2, 2022, after 72 years of marriage.

Ferdie lived nearly all his life on the family farm just south of Frankenstein and along with Mary Ann raised seven children. In 1945, he 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. He 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, 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, Ferdie 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. He 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 is survived by his seven children, Robert (Mo) Kremer of Columbia, Joyce (Mark) Weidinger of Vienna, Deb Hammond of Eagle River, WI, Russ Kremer of Frankenstein, Karen (Glenn) Muenks of Loose Creek, Marie (Wynn) Searle of Lewisville, TX, and Roberta (Jason) Rader of Springfield, MO; sisters, Marcella Maassan of St. Peters, MO and Germaine Kremer of Oslo, Norway; grandchildren, Andy Kremer, Erin Moore, Angie Schwartze, Kelley Hagemeyer, David Weidinger, Connor Muenks, Claire Muenks, Anna Rader, and Jeremy Rader; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his mother and father, Adolph and Anna Kremer; and sisters, Sister Florence, Evelyn Troesser, Roselyn Greaves, Catherine Hamner, and Marie Anne Davis.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Frankenstein.

An additional visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Our Lady Helps of Christians Catholic Church with the Mass of Christian Burial being held at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Colin Franklin as the Celebrant.  Interment will be in the Garden of Gethsemane Cemetery with full military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Croix Hospice, St. Marys School, or a charity of the donor’s choice.