Ralph J. Kremer

DIGGS, HOFFMANN, KREMER, SOPPA, WALDERBACH, WULFEKUHLE

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 6/11/2024 at 14:41:44

Ralph J. Kremer, 87, of Independence, IA, formally of Aurora, IA, died on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA.

Ralph was born on January 22, 1937, in Monticello, IA, the son of George M. and Martha B. (Hoffmann) Kremer. He resided at Buck Creek until his parents purchased what is now the home farm near Aurora in 1944. He attended the Buffalo Township Rural School #1 in rural Winthrop, IA, and was a 1955 graduate of Winthrop High School. Ralph went on to enlist in the United States Army and served during the Korean War.

After his time in the service, Ralph returned home in 1957 to help on his family farm. He soon started working for Paul Quint Construction of Winthrop, IA. Ralph enjoyed socializing and often went out to the dance halls in the area. At a dance in Lamont, IA, he met Inez J. Walderbach on a blind date. They were married on February 27, 1960, at St. Patrick’s Church in Ryan, IA.

In 1961, Ralph and Inez began farming near Aurora, IA. Ralph operated several farms in the area and purchased the home farm from his mother where Ralph farmed for many years. He enjoyed every part of farming, especially helping others.

Ralph is the father of six children. He did everything he could for his family and made sure to teach them the value of hard work and helping others. They often took trips to Buchanan County Home to volunteer to help with the residents.

Ralph became a licensed real estate agent in 1971 and enjoyed helping people for over 40 years find their homes and welcome them to the community. He later became a real estate appraiser forming Kremer Appraisals, LLC.

For over thirty-eight years Ralph served his community on the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors. He was a member of the Farm Bureau Executive Board, Buchanan County Extension Council, Buchanan County Cattlemen's Association, the Pork Producers, the Buchanan County Housing Board, Hawkeye Valley Agency on Aging, and as Chairman of the Buchanan County Democratic Party. He was appointed by the governor to the State’s Mental Health Risk Pool. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post 435 in Aurora, IA, and was Vice Commander for many years.

He also served as a past president of the Iowa State Association of County Supervisors, Iowa State Association of Counties, Buchanan County Farm Bureau, and the HVAAA Policy Board.

Ralph applied what he learned in the military to help develop the 911 network and mapping for Buchanan and surrounding counties. His work helped reduce confusion and improve the response times of the First Responders throughout the county.

Ralph was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Winthrop, IA. For many years he and Inez welcomed people to church as Ushers and served on the Parish Council.

He is survived by his daughter, Julie (Rick) Wulfekuhle, Independence, IA, five sons, Jon (Kristina) Kremer, Cedar Rapids, IA, Joseph (Cheryl) Kremer, Arlington, IA, James Kremer, Aurora, IA, Jerad Kremer, Fort Dodge, IA, and Jeffery Kremer, Independence, IA, eleven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two sisters, Virginette Diggs and Darlene Soppa, seven brothers; Robert, Bernard (Connie), David (Dianne), Leroy (Jayne), Eugene (May), and Herb (Suzette), and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Inez Kremer, his daughter-in-law Tambra Kremer, his parents, George and Martha Kremer, two brothers, Edward and Donald Kremer, and a daughter-in-law, Terene Kremer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Winthrop, IA.

Inurnment will be held at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Winthrop, IA. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 3 PM until 7 PM at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA.

A Rosary will be said by the Knights of Columbus at 2:45 PM and a Parish Vigil Service will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday.