Kenneth Arnold James Kronemann, 91, of Fergus Falls, died on Monday, November 23, 2015, at the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.
He was born on June 25, 1925, the youngest son of thirteen children, to Max C. and Minnie (Holthusen) Kronemann Sr., in Fergus Falls Township. He lived with his family on the farm until he was fifteen, when the family moved to town during the Depression. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and attended country school at District 92 in Fergus Falls Township. He graduated from Washington High School in Fergus Falls in 1944.
After graduation, Kenneth joined the U.S. Army on March 20, 1945, and after his discharge he returned to Fergus Falls. He began his farming career by renting a farm near Fergus Falls for a short time, before purchasing a farm in Orwell Township in 1949.
On May 20, 1951, he married Mary Ann Schimdt, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. They met as children while attending the same country school. The couple raised three children and made their home in Orwell Township, living there until they retired from farming in 1978. After his farming career, he took up welding, until his retirement in 1985.
Kenneth was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He was also a 4-H leader along with his wife. In addition, he was a charter member of the Y’s Folks and the Golden K Kiwanis. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, sharing scripture with others and dancing with his wife.
Kenneth used the word “Tremendous” in describing the loving care and respect given to himself and all the Veteran residents living as a community at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls. He enjoyed the daily activities as a five-year resident and especially the food, snacks, music, bingo, church services and special trips fishing on local lakes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Minnie Kronemann; his wife, Mary Ann in 2013; a son, Darrell in 2006; his brothers, Max Jr., Herbert, Arthur Kronemann; and two infant brothers, Waldemar and Edmund, his sisters Ruth Peterson, Esther Schroeder, Emma Lundell, Frieda Miller, Evelyn Asleson and Irene Eckley.
Kenneth is survived by his two daughters, Mary Jo (Greg) Marcus of Fergus Falls and Carolyn (Brian) Walker of Northfield; four grandchildren, Melissa (Lonny) Duenow of Fergus Falls, Peter Marcus of Fergus Falls, Patrick Walker and Aaron Walker of Northfield; one great-grandchild, Jackson Duenow; his sister Ethel (Phillip) Thompson of Fergus Falls; and his sister-in-law, Hazel Kronemann; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family request that memorials be sent to the Fergus Falls Veterans Home, the Northfield Youth Choir, or the First Lutheran Church Bell Choir.
Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Friday, November 27, at the funeral home and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 28, 2015, at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements