KRONEMAN, Merle Elroy 1928-2006

KRONEMAN, BUBLITZ, HOLSTAD, KAY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/3/2011 at 15:25:30

Merle E. Kroneman

MASON CITY, IOWA — Merle E. Kroneman, 78, of 303 S. Vermont, died Thursday (June 8, 2006) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with the Rev. Kathy Graves officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Merle E. Kroneman Memorial Fund.

Merle Elroy Kroneman was born June 3, 1928, in Mitchell County, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Adeline (Bublitz) Kroneman. He attended Mason City schools and graduated from Mason City High School in 1947. Merle was married to Lorette Holstad on Sept. 6, 1953, at Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett. They were the parents of two children, Bonnie and Randy. They resided in Mason City their entire married lives. Merle began his career as an auto mechanic at John Gallagher’s Auto in Mason City. He then joined Sedars Pontiac-Cadillac, where he was employed for 32 years. He worked for David Manufacturing in Mason City for 10 years prior to his retirement.

Merle loved his cars, Model A's and Pontiacs. He was an antique car enthusiast and owned and enjoyed many. He was a member of the North Iowa Vintage Auto Club and enjoyed club touring and driving in parades. Merle liked to have coffee with his many friends, especially the gang from the “Circus Garage.” His expertise in automobile repairs and anything mechanical was a special talent.

Merle loved to dance, especially the old time waltz. He and his wife, Lorette, met at the Surf Ballroom and spent many nights dancing to old time and big band music. He and his family also enjoyed camping trips with their extended families and many friends. He especially enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren. Merle and Lorette spent some time in Arizona during the winters. They also traveled to Norway, Alaska, Hawaii and to many of the states in the U.S.

He was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City.

Merle is survived by his wife, Lorette, of Mason City; daughter, Bonnie Kay, and husband, Brian, of St. Cloud, Minn.; son, Randy Kroneman, and wife, Kerry, of Des Moines; grandchildren, Rachel Kay of Madison, Wis., Kevin Kay of St. Cloud, Minn., and Logan, Lucas and Kalleigh Kroneman of Des Moines; two brothers, Orlin Kroneman and wife, Jill, and Dale Kroneman of Mason City; sister, Elaine Olson and husband, Reginald, of Mankato; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Marcella Picken of Mason City, Gordon and Orla Nelson of Joice, Harlan and Virginia Holstad of Hampton, Arnold Holstad of Mason City, and Eldora Holstad of Clear Lake, and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Laverne Kroneman.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City, (641) 423-0924.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]