Faith Kromrey

Faith M. Kromrey, 90, of Weston, Wisconsin, went home to be with her loving Savior on December 24, 2017, at Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau, Wisconsin. Faith was born on July 29, 1927, in Gillett, Wisconsin, to Dr. Alphons and Clara (Melera) Koll. She married George B. Kromrey Sr. on August 12, 1950, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She made her home in several Wisconsin communities throughout her lifetime and left a lasting impact wherever she went. When she was just 11 years old and the fourth of five siblings, Faith's father died in 1938. Faith's mother sold his dental practice and home in Gillett and the family moved to Oshkosh. Faith attended junior high and high school in Oshkosh where she enjoyed many activities and clubs. She graduated in 1945 with highest honors and a growing love for education. After high school, she went on to Oshkosh State Teachers College (now UW-Oshkosh). While in college she was elected to honorary societies for her outstanding scholarship and citizenship. In addition to her honorary organizations, Faith also participated in the Phoenix social sorority and enjoyed the many competitive events held with other sororities. Faith's first teaching job was at Chappell School in Green Bay where she taught kindergarten. It was also in Green Bay that she met her husband, George, at a church square dance. Lighthearted and quiet love was one of the hallmarks of their relationship. George even proposed to Faith while window shopping one magical evening - with sparkling snowflakes gently falling - by asking, "Wouldn't that radio look nice on our refrigerator?" After just six months together, they were married on August 12, 1950. The radio and refrigerator followed soon after. In nine years, they had four children. Faith and George loved spending time with family, camping in Wisconsin's Northwoods, and cooking together. Faith passionately devoted herself to providing a loving and supportive home for her family and with her husband took pleasure in watching their children grow and thrive. She was an accomplished seamstress and loved to knit, crochet, and do craft projects. When George accepted a work transfer to the Milwaukee area Veteran's Administration office, the family moved to Brookfield, Wisconsin. Once her children were all in school, Faith returned to the workforce to continue living out her passion for education. Her children fondly remember her purchase of a red, stick-shift Volkswagen Beetle which she drove to work to help the family afford four college educations. She taught in the primary grades in Brookfield and later in Minocqua. She is remembered by many as their favorite teacher. While living in Minocqua, she was also active in the Lakeland Women's Club and the Catholic Women's Club of Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church (now part of Holy Family Parish). She served as an officer in both organizations. In her later years, Faith also volunteered for the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin by helping with mailings. After 42 wonderful years of marriage, Faith's husband died in 1992. Since then she has resided in Minocqua, Wausau, and Weston. Faith's family continued to bring her joy in retirement and later years. Her refrigerator door was always full of pictures of her eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and was always ready with a small snack or treat. Even well into her eighties, Faith enjoyed keeping up with her four children and their families and embraced learning, even learning to text and use a Kindle. Faith was a loving mother and will be deeply missed by her four children: George B. (Sandra) of Sullivan, Missouri; Kathleen A. (Harold) Garnett of Prior Lake, Minnesota; Jean C. (William) Tehan of Wausau; and Mark T. (Karen) of Chugiak, Alaska. She will also be missed by eight grandchildren, Michael (Mary) Kromrey of Springfield, Missouri; Dr. David (Dr. Loryn) Kromrey of Arlington Heights, Illinois; Andrew (Theresa) Garnett of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; Eric (Tracy) Garnett of Olathe, Kansas; Kati (Dr. Jeremy) Goetsch of Wausau; William Tehan of Wausau; and Lindsey and Laura Kromrey of Chugiak, Alaska. Faith is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren in addition to many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Faith was preceded in death by her parents and husband, as well as her siblings and their respective spouses: Paul, James, Lucille (Dr. Jack) Benton, and Donald (Elaine). The funeral Mass will be at St. Michael Parish, Wausau, on January 22 at 11 a.m. Monsignor Mark Pierce will officiate and Father Bill Grevatch will co-officiate. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. A private graveside internment will be held at a later time. Faith's family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staffs of both Renaissance Assisted Living and Primrose Assisted Living for the kind care that she received at both establishments in her later years, and the Eucharistic Ministers from the Eastside Parishes. Special thanks are also due to the devoted hospice nurses and volunteers at Aspirus Hospice House who gently cared for Faith and supported the family during her last days and hours. Memorials may be directed to St. Michael Parish in Wausau, Minocqua Public Library, or the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin.