"Dear Lori and all your family...We are so sorry for your loss and pray that God will wrap His love around you and give you peace and smiles as you remember your loved one. She will be always with you! Sincerely..Dian Gappa & John Jick"
In loving memory of
Geraldine "Gerry" Krage
June 29, 1931 - October 11, 2017
Geraldine "Gerry" Fern (Harem) Krage, 86 of Winona went home to be with The Lord on Wednesday October 11, 2017 at Sugar Loaf Assisted Living.
Gerry was born on June 29, 1931 in Pickwick, Minnesota to Omer and Dorothy (Davis) Harem. In Gerry's younger days she enjoyed growing up on the family farm in Pickwick. Gerry was a former Miss Pickwick, as well as former Winona Winter Carnival Queen. She also enjoyed working as a nurse's aide at Winona General Hospital, other Winona businesses and American Greeting Cards.
Gerry met George W. Krage Jr. on a blind date and they married on October 13, 1951 in Winona, Minnesota. They made their home in Winona and enjoyed 56 wonderful years together. He preceded her in death on November 9, 2007. While being a devoted wife and mother, she also was very active in her faith community. She hosted countless bible studies, was involved for many years in the Winona Women's Christian Fellowship and taught generations of children about Jesus in Sunday school. She is remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother, cook and baker. Gerry cared deeply for others and was a loving caregiver to her family and neighbors and spent many years volunteering for Hospice.
Gerry is survived by and will be deeply missed by her children Vicki Krage of Rochester, MN, Lori (Nick) Edstrom of Winona, Mark (Vicki) Krage of Lake City, MN, David (Amy) Krage of Parrish, FL, Paul (Cheryl) Krage of Winona and John (Amy) Krage of Arcadia, WI; grandchildren Krystal Ohlhaber, Mark (Sarah) Krage Jr., Kate (Kevin) Shedd, Jenny and Jason Edstrom, Brice Banner, Dylan and Kyle Krage, Caleb and Mason Krage, and Hannah Krage; great grandchildren Olivia and Avery Ohlhaber; Brothers and sisters Allen Harem, Joyce (Darrel) Johnson, and Bruce (Jan) Harem; Brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack (Dorothy) Krage, Pat Krage, Ruth Davis, Marylou Harem, Bonnie Aldinger; aunt, Irene Hodgdon, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and members of the faith community.
Gerry is preceded in death by her husband George, her parents, her sister Maureen Aldinger and her brother David Harem, her brothers-in-law, Gaylord Aldinger, Leighton Krage, Charles Radechel, Earle Davis, James Young; her sisters-in-law Susan Young and Nellie Harem; nephew, Keith Krage and great-nephew, Bradley Harem.
A celebration of her life will be 11:30 a.m., Saturday October 14, 2017 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center - Goodview. Bob Elam will officiate. Visitation prior to the service will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Burial will be at the Pickwick Cemetery, Pickwick, Minnesota. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Winona Area Hospice Services, The Pickwick Cemetery,The Alzheimer's Association or charity of choice.
Gerry's family would like to thank Winona Area Hospice and Sugar Loaf Assisted Living for their loving care of Gerry.
Hoff Celebration of Life Center - Goodview is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share a memory of Gerry, sign her online guestbook and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tributes
"Dear Krage Family, I remember Gerry from many years ago at Faith Assembly. She was a very kindhearted lady and will be greatly missed. My prayers and thoughts go out to your family during this time. Virginia Scharmota-Hansen"
"Gerry was a grand, but humble lady. She was my son's sunday school teacher and we were thankful for her and the love that radiated from her. Enjoy your place with our heavenly Father. Our prayers and comfort to her family. Bill and Jill Hanson"
"Gerry was a beautiful person. She was always so kind and polite and friendly. Always helping others. She and George were good neighbors to all in the Creekwood neighborhood. "
"Will always remember the years our families lived next door to each other. Loved those years. Sympathy and prayers to Gerry's family."