Obituary of CATHERINE KRAEMER

CATHERINE KRAEMER (nee: Kamedish) August 15, 1912 - February 3, 2014 Peacefully, with her loving family by her side, Catherine passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital on February 3, 2014. Catherine was born in Dauphin, Manitoba to Peter and Louise Kamedish. She was the oldest of six children. When she was a young child, her family relocated to Winnipeg and resided in Fort Rouge. Mom attended St. Ignatius School and then St. Mary's Academy. Growing up she loved to play baseball, speed skate and dance. Upon graduation she went to work for Eatons in the office. Being single at the time, an aunt suggested she attend the CYO dances at St. Joseph's Church. It was at one of these dances where she would find the man of her dreams, Peter Kraemer. In 1940, after having dated for a couple of years, they were married at St. Ignatius Church in Winnipeg. Over the next decade mom and dad had three children: Barbara, Peter, and Gordon. In 1958, she returned to the workforce as a typist/stenographer at Office Overload. Her working career would also see her take office jobs at Reimer, Standard Aero and at the University of Winnipeg in the library. In 1963, dad suddenly passed away and mom persevered and remained strong for her family. She carried on and showed independence and determination, which were truly two traits she was known for. Mom finally retired in 1977. Mom was a devout Catholic. Her faith played an important part in her life. She was a long standing member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church having joined there in 1940. Mom was a Past President of St. Joseph's CWL, a member of the St. Joseph's Golden Age Club and an Honorary member of the St. Joseph Parochial Society. Mom loved sports. She enjoyed participating in bowling, lawn bowling and curling. She also loved to watch sports on TV. Mom was a huge fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. She also enjoyed watching wrestling and Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights. Mom loved to travel. Her holidays included car trips to Montana, Minnesota and Michigan to visit relatives; shopping trips to Grand Forks and Fargo, and gambling trips to Mahnomen where she loved to play the slots. She also travelled to Victoria, Edmonton, Florida, California, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. When she was 90, she also went on an Alaskan cruise. Mom enjoyed the festive holiday seasons and up until age 95 hosted New Year's dinners for her family. Her dinners included her much raved about turkey stuffing and her homemade Christmas fruit cakes. These will surely be missed. Mom also had a sweet tooth. She loved chocolate. When coming to her home for a visit, one would always be offered chocolate, cheezies, and cookies. She enjoyed picking raspberries from her bushes when in-season and smoking her Craven Menthol cigarettes. Her hobbies included doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, bingo and feeding the birds in her backyard. Mom was predeceased by her parents; her husband Peter; five siblings Mildred, Cecilia (Robert Thomson), Irene (Harold Johnson), Benjamin, and Robert; two sons (Peter and Gordon); son-in-law Leo Kofler and daughter-in-law Valerie Kraemer. Left to cherish her memory are daughter Barbara Kofler, grandchildren Michael and Kevin; daughter-in-law Ursula Kraemer, grandchildren Mark, Kathy (Gordon Moore), Tim (Kim); grandchildren Damian Kraemer and Justin Kraemer (Reiko); great grandchildren Matthew and Nicky Moore, and Allison and Caroline Kraemer; extended family and many friends. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the second floor staff at St. Joseph's Residence for the kindness, concern, and care that they showed mom. Prayers will be held on Thursday, February 13th at 7:00 pm at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 14th at 10:30 am at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Mountain and Andrews. Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery, 3990 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Joseph's Residence, 1149 Leila Ave, Winnipeg, R2P 1S6 or a charity of your choice.