Verna Viona (Roemmich) Krueger, known as “Vi”, was born on Feb 18, 1930 to Emanuel and Hertha Roemmich in Tappen, North Dakota. Her father passed away when Vi was 3 months old. Hertha married William “Bill” Roemmich, and he remained her father until his passing. The Roemmich family grew up in many towns across North Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana during the turbulent depression of the 30’s, always following the possibility of keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Her family continued to move from town to town, but independent Vi decided she was done relocating and she stayed put in Medina, North Dakota when she was a junior in High School. She graduated in 1948 from Medina High School, while boarding at the local Hotel and Café. After High School, she supported herself by working at the US Post Office. In 1952 she married Kenneth Albert Krueger in Bismark, North Dakota. After her divorce in 1959, her father helped her move to Billings, MT with her 3 daughters in tow. In Billings, they enjoyed being close to Vi’s parents, and many other family members.

Vi raised her girls in Billings while she worked retail as a clothing buyer for ABC Kiddie Shops, FA Buttrey, and Town and Country. After her buyer days ended, she worked for Herberger’s for more than 25 years up until age 74. Typical of Vi, one day she said she was done working and headed into retirement. Vi loved to keep her photo albums up to date not only with current activities, but also going back and updating historical albums passed on from her mother. Her independent nature continued in retirement, and she kept busy.

Vi shared many family traditions with her children. Whether making her mother’s “kes knepfla”, or baking and decorating her famous “White (Christmas) Cookies”, or making the best giblet dressing on the planet. Her girls grew to love these traditions. Vi would never consider herself sentimental, but her children and family were important to her, and she was happy to see these recipes kept alive and passed on.

Vi is preceded in death by her parents, Hertha and Bill Roemmich, and her brother Vern (Lygdia) Roemmich.

Vi is survived by: 2 siblings; Harvey (Eileen) Roemmich; Carol Roemmich Bell; 3 daughters; Patricia Krueger; Bonnie Krueger (Gary) Yost; Sandy Krueger (Les) Nielsen. She has 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Per Vi’s request she will be cremated, and there will be no memorial service.