Ervin Kraemer

Ervin M. Kraemer, age 77 of Albany, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11a.m. Saturday, November 2 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B. concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Seven Dolors Gathering Area. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Friday evening at the church.

Ervin was born September 12, 1942 in Richmond, Minnesota to Peter and Alvina (Schmitz) Kraemer. Ervin grew up near Richmond and St. Anna on the family farm.  After high school, he worked in Minneapolis, then joined the Navy.  When his active service ended, he attended St. Cloud Technical College where he earned his electrical degree.  On May 30, 1969 Ervin was united in marriage to Eleanor “Ellie” Fischer at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany.  Ervin worked at many construction sites, for the Electrical Union – IBEW, and for roughly 20 years at the St. Cloud Reformatory.

A faithful, hardworking, and selfless man, Ervin enjoyed coin and rock collecting, playing cards, being with family and friends, working with his hands, and traveling.  He was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Albany American Legion, John Birch Society, and Knights of Columbus, where he served as a Grand Knight.

“Preach the Gospel always and, if necessary, use words.”  This quote from St. Francis sums up Ervin’s life in many ways.  The Gospel was the foundation of his life, and he proclaimed it to all through his actions.  Ervin was constantly serving others with little thought of himself.  Whether it was helping a neighbor in need, donating gallons of blood, or volunteering for years at the Apostolate for Family Consecration in Ohio, he was willing to do whatever was needed.  Truly an inspiration of loving dedication to God, family, friends, and country, his legacy will live on in all those who follow his example.

Survivors include his wife, Eleanor “Ellie” Kraemer of Albany; children, Brian (Lisa) Kraemer of Ramsey, Bruce (Wanda) Kraemer of Clear Lake, Laura (Rich) Scanlon of Delran, New Jersey, and Kara Kraemer of Albany; nine grandchildren; and brother and sisters, Roselin Jonas of Hutchinson, Delroy (Janice) Kraemer of Foley, Delrose (Stanley) Symanietz of Avon, Erma (Donald) Klein of Avon, Alice (Robert) Kobylinski of Holdingford, and Marlene (Steve) Bresnahan of Watkins.

Ervin was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Alvina Kraemer; grandchild, Therese Scanlon; sister, Irene Woitalla; and brothers-in-law, Edward Woitalla and Ronald Jonas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.