Inez Josephine Kremer

Inez J. Kremer, 85, of Independence, IA, formally of Aurora, IA, died on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Prairie Hills Assisted Living Center in Independence, IA.

Inez was born on November 16, 1938, the daughter of John J. and Bernice A. (McEnany) Walderbach. Inez grew up on a farm in rural Ryan, IA and later moved to Ryan, and was a 1956 graduate of Ryan High School. She wanted to work as an x-ray technician and went on to study at St, Joseph’s Hospital in Ottumwa, IA. Inez graduated in 1958 and returned home to Ryan, IA, and started working at the Manchester Hospital.

Inez enjoyed spending time with friends and going dancing. At a dance in Lamont, IA, she met Ralph Kremer on a blind date. They were married on February 27, 1960, at St. Patrick’s Church in Ryan, IA. They made their home in Ryan for a few years before moving to Winthrop, IA. They had six children together, and Inez loved taking care and keeping her kids in line.

In the 1970’s the Kremer family purchased the family farm in rural Aurora, IA. There Inez enjoyed helping out on the farm and caring for their livestock. She spent countless hours maintaining a huge garden and canning the produce that came from it.

When her kids were older Inez returned to work outside the home. She took a position as a x-ray technician at the Oelwein Hospital for several years. She later accepted a position at Peoples Memorial Hospital (later Buchanan County Health Center). She became head of the radiology department where she remained until her retirement. She later came back to serve on the Buchanan County Health Board for many years.

Inez loved her family and supported them in all their adventures. She enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren and cooking and baking for them. They often made strawberries and raspberry smoothies when she babysat. Her endless cookie tins will be missed by all her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Ralph Kremer, Independence, IA, her daughter, Julie (Rick) Wulfekuhle, Independence, IA, five sons, Jon (Kristina) Kremer, Cedar Rapids, IA, Joseph (Cheryl) Kremer, Arlington, IA, James Kremer, Aurora, IA, Jerard (Tambra) Kremer, Fort Dodge, IA, and Jeffery Kremer, Independence, IA, eleven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a sister, Judith Quint, Waterloo, IA, a sister-in-law Janet Walderbach of Cedar Rapids, IA, brother-in law Glenn Quint of Shellsburg, IA, and many nieces and nephews.

Inez is preceded in death by her parents, John and Bernice Walderbach, three sisters, Ann Durfey, Jean Fank, and Frances Quint, two brothers, James and Louis Walderbach and two brothers in infancy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 16, 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 Friday from 4 PM until 7 PM at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA. A Rosary will be said by the Catholic Daughters at 3:45 PM and a Parish Vigil Service will be held at 7 PM on Friday.