Margaret Krambeer
Margaret “Marge” Krambeer, 79, of New Albin died Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 13 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Albin with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, New Albin.
Margaret Kathleen Krambeer was born September 13, 1939 in East Boston, MA, the daughter of Cyril Joseph and Margaret Kathleen (Barrett) O’Hanley. She grew up in East Boston where she attended school until taking time off to care for her mother full time. Marge’s first jobs were with the Transitron Corp., a maker of transistors for jet engines, and the Peter Pan Peanut Butter Company.
When she served as maid of honor in her cousin’s wedding she met the best man, Merlin Gene Krambeer, who was a Navy shipmate of the groom, and it was “love at first sight” as the couple dated for just over a week before being married in East Boston May 19, 1959 in front of a justice of the peace. Marge’s father had asked Merlin to “be good to her, and someday get married in the church.” So, a year later they had a wedding ceremony at Star of the Sea Catholic Church in East Boston.
Marge stayed with her parents in East Boston while Merlin finished his time in the Navy. When he returned they moved to an apartment and Merlin worked at Ford Motor Co. Their love continued to grow as did their family, having six children.
In 1972 they moved to New Albin. In addition to being a busy mother and homemaker, Marge had a number of other jobs over the years, often more than one at a time. She worked in patient care at Makee Manor and was a bartender and waitress at her father-in-law’s three local establishments. Later she provided independent home healthcare for several area residents, including her best friend, Monte Meyer, until she lost her battle to cancer. She involved her older children in operating a popular ice cream stand on her father-in-law’s property, carded buttons for Blumenthal Lansing Company both at the plant and at home, and also worked at Northern Engraving in Lansing.
Marge was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Albin. She loved to crochet and made countless items; from clothing for her kids to gifts for her family and friends. Family was always important to Marge as she enjoyed motorcycling, dancing, swimming with her children and grandchildren, traveling back east to visit relatives, and trips to the casino with Gene.
Survivors include her husband, Merlin Gene Krambeer of New Albin; her children: Sherri (Scott Hein) Krambeer of Owen, WI, Beverly Rask of New Albin, James (Dr. Charles Kucera) Krambeer of Tacoma, WA, Kenneth Krambeer of La Crosse, WI and Dale (Shelly) Krambeer of Westby, WI; 15 grandchildren: Lucas, Nathan, Nicole, Scott, Pamela, Zachary, Eric, Leisha, Morgan, Savannah, Alex, Ryan, Vincent, Seth and Carly; 16 great-grandchildren as well as a 17th, Eric and Sasha’s daughter, due in October; a sister, Marilyn Mossuto of Saugus, MA; her beloved dog, Sassy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Theron; her grandchildren, Joshua and Chelsea; a son-in-law, William “Bill” Batteen; her sisters, Elizabeth (Raymond) Peatfield and Blanche (Ed) McGonagle; and her brothers-in-law, Al Mossuto and Vernon Mayo.
Martin Funeral Home of Waukon assisted the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
