HAYFIELD — Gerald Mervin Kraetsch, 86, died Friday, April 1, 2011, at Fieldcrest Nursing Home in Hayfield.
He was born Monday, July 14, 1924, in Ellsworth, Minn., to George and Emma Kraetsch. Gerald was raised on a farm near Kanaranzi, Minn., with two brothers and two sisters. After graduating from Magnolia High School, he attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, S.D., studying accounting. He was drafted into the Army where he took a carpentry class and became an instructor. After serving in the Army, he married Helen Redder (deceased) in 1947, and was blessed with seven sons and two daughters.
In the early years he started out raising turkeys, then farmed in the LeRoy and Racine areas until 1972. Gerald then worked in the construction/maintenance fields until retiring in 1999. While owning the Kasson Bakery, he met Rosemary Randall and soon married.
Fixing things, gardening and wood crafting were some of his favorite pastimes. Treasured friends and family were often the lucky recipients of these talents.
Including his wife, Rosemary, he is survived by his children: Barbara (Larry) of Faribault, Peter (Jelaine-deceased) of Sammamish, Wash., Paul of Lyle, Joe (Lisa) of Peterborough, N.H., Ray of Grand Meadow, Mark (Wendy) of Hayfield, Mary Nord of Stewartville, Tom (Shelly) and Jerald (Angie) of Racine, and James (Dorinda-deceased) Randall of Claremont; 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Gerald’s siblings include: Lois (Bud) — both deceased, Floyd (Mary), Vernon (Ardith) and Twila (Bob).
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Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 101 6th Ave. N.W., in Kasson, with Pastor Clint Patterson officiating. Burial will be in Racine Salem Cemetery in rural Racine. Visitation will be Friday, April 8, at Dibble Funeral Home, 213 W. Main St., in Kasson from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials.
Online condolences may be made at www.dibblefuneralhome.com .
