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| Ellen J. Kremer |
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White Funeral Home
Ellen worked as a nurse’s aide at People’s Memorial Hospital in Independence until she married Joseph Kremer and took up life as a farm wife in rural Jesup. They were married 63 years until his death in 2010. Ellen was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her five siblings; Alphonsus Harn, Betty Wilson, Patricia Necker, Robert Harn, and Darlene Heth, sons; Carl Kremer, Richard and Clarence Kremer in infancy, and great granddaughter, Arianna Bautista in infancy. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Kremer Myers of Springfield, IL, Nancy Kies (Dale) of Jesup, IA, Barbara Kremer (Steve Cox) of Tucson, AZ, Kathy Rohrig (Brian) of Orient, IA, and one son, Leo Kremer (Debra) of rural Jesup. Thirteen grandchildren, Elizabeth (Kevin) Cooney, James, Nathaniel, Barbara Myers (Warren Wilke), Jane, Elizabeth, Jonathan Myers; Aaron (Pam) Kies, Autumn, Hunter, Trinity; Amy (Jason) Bautista, Zian, Zachary, Zavier, Zander; Valerie (Kathy Voss) Kies, Ellery, Claire; Mark Kies; Joe Cox; Cynthia (Ariel) Aloe, Isaiah, Ashton, Emily Kremer, Robert (Sara) Kremer, Vee, Joe; Jessica (Nigel) O’Connor, Matt (Heidi) Rohrig, Tucker, Taylor, Treva. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Joyce Kremer of Vinton, IA, brother-in-law Jack Toal of Tucson, AZ, special friends Dee and Greg Weber of Jesup, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Ellen had a servant’s heart and was a born caregiver. She wanted to be a nurse; a dream unfulfilled for her. She did take great pride in having two daughters, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter follow in her footsteps and became nurses. As her children grew, Ellen volunteered as a 4-H leader and had many roles with Farm Bureau Women. Ellen and her husband were instrumental in founding Buchanan County Hospice and she devoted countless hours as a hospice volunteer. They were longtime members of St. Athanasius, where she was a charter member of CDA. When they retired to town, Ellen sang in the choir, served as bereavement coordinator, and wherever she was needed. Ellen loved sewing and crafting, and the quilted blankets she made were treasured by all who received them, from babies to college-bound kids to someone recovering from illness. She was known as a baker of pies, cinnamon rolls and that particular cuisine known as “Grandma Food”—guaranteed to be comforting and delicious. She was a woman of faith, and that faith sustained her through her own experiences with grief and loss. Her spirit of caring for others never left her. The last six years of her life she was a resident of Prairie Hills Senior Center in Independence. Even as she grew more frail, she wanted to be sure that those around her, both other residents and staff, were being taken care of. Ellen enjoyed music, especially hymns, and songs that told stories, as she was a good storyteller herself. Singing along to the radio was a favorite pastime. She was known for her love of tea, either hot or iced, and with plenty of sugar. Vanilla ice cream, best with angel food cake, strawberries, and real whipped cream was a birthday, special day, or any day treat! No one left Grandma’s house hungry. Always filled with cookies, sweet tea and memories. We are blessed by her legacy, a long life lived with compassion and caring for others. May we follow her example. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. - Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Jesup, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at White Funeral Home, Jesup, where there will be a Catholic Daughter's rosary said at 4:30 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour, Tuesday, at the church. At Ellen’s request, memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, PO Box 2880, Waterloo IA, 50704-2880. Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com |
