Viola Kraemer

Viola Bernadine Trisko Kraemer, age 92, of Alexandria and formerly of Osakis passed into her eternal life on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Grand Arbor in Alexandria.

She was born April 21, 1930 in Melrose to Carl and Anna (Kemper) Trisko.  She grew up in Melrose, Greenwald and Sauk Centre the only girl and middle child of seven.

On June 27, 1951 she was united in marriage to Frank W Kraemer at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.  They lived and farmed north of Osakis for eight years until moving to a farm on the southeast side of Osakis where they lived and worked until their retirement in 1990.  They also enjoyed living on their hobby farm on the southwest edge of Osakis until 2006 when they moved to an apartment in Alexandria.

Viola was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis and then St Mary’s parish in Alexandria.  She was an excellent seamstress making most of her girls’ clothes.  She also sewed many quilts for the missions.  Viola made over 200 teddy bears which were sold by the mission group to raise money to buy material for baby quilts and baby layettes.  She always had a large garden and canned all the produce each year to last through the winter season.

If she wasn’t working on the farm, she enjoyed embroidering, crocheting, hand appliqueing quilt tops and stitched many quilts given to her family.   Through the years, she embroidered many dish towels, pillow cases and dresser scarves and crocheted afghans.  Frank and Viola made hundreds of Rosaries which were sent to missions throughout the world.

The whole family including Dad was included in the Christmas baking season using many German and Austrian recipes.  Mom was an excellent baker and treats were shared with anyone who came to visit throughout the year.

Viola is survived by her daughters, Kathleen (Donald) Koopmeiners of Long Prairie, Marlene (Donald) Klaphake of Melrose, Margie (Delbert) Bodde of Alexandria and Marilyn (David) Lang of Fargo, North Dakota; two grandsons, Richard Bodde (Shanna) of Alexandria and Jonathon (Sophia) of North Pasco, Washington; two great granddaughters (Allie and Avery) and two great grandsons (Lincoln and Liam).  She is also survived by two brothers (Raymond and Clarence) of Sauk Centre.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Frank on May 18, 2011.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Alphonse, Raphael, Jerome and Richard.

A private Mass of Resurrection was held on Friday, June 24, 2022 with Father David Grundman officiating.  Internment was at Calvary Cemetery in Osakis.