Gerald Kratochwill

Gerald J. Kratochwill, age 94, died Sunday, December 1, 2013, in McAllen, Texas. He was born to Frank and Margaret (Dimick) Kratochwill on March 21, 1919, in Brule County, South Dakota, on the farm where his father and one of his sons were also born. He married Dorothy E. Zeman on November 13, 1940, and they resided for most of their lives in Waseca County, Minnesota. Gerald was a State champion Golden Gloves boxer, farmer, and operator of his business of grinding grain for livestock feed until his retirement. He and Dorothy enjoyed travel, winters in Texas, and helping their children with building and other projects. He enjoyed driving tractor for a Waseca area farmer in the spring and fall until two years ago. Following Dorothy's death in 1998, Gerald married Lois Munson in 2000, and the couple resided in Howard Lake, Minnesota, in the summers and spent their winters in Pharr, Texas. After Lois' death in 2011, Gerald made Pharr, Texas, his permanent residence. He was a life-long member of the Catholic Church and a proud 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. Gerald is survived by his special friend (companion) Dolores Bauer; children Karen (Bill Bonnstetter) Killoren, G. Wayne (Stephanie Feil) and Lyndon (Kay); step-sons Allan (Donna) Munson, Randall (Sharon) Munson and Tim Munson; 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; sisters Mildred Dorwart and Lorraine Reese; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, his wife Lois, sisters Lucille Geppert and Marge Bonner, and an infant brother Everett. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, May 24, 2014, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Waseca with Fr. Gregory Leif as Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed in Gerald's memory to Comfort House Services, 617 Dallas Avenue, McAllen TX 78501, or to the donor's preferred charity or church.

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, May 24, 2013
Service
Friday, May 24, 2013
cemetery
Friday, May 24, 2013