Audrie Charlotte Kraemer

Audrie Kraemer, 93, formerly of Parkers Prairie, MN, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023 at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria, MN, surrounded by family.

Audrie Charlotte Williams was born on October 30, 1930, in Minneapolis, MN to the late Franklin Lloyd Williams and Pauline Caroline (Hipp) Williams.  Audrie spent most of her childhood at their home on Portland Avenue in Richfield, MN, until moving to Lake Miltona in 1946 when her parents purchased Evergreen Inn.

It was at Evergreen Inn that she met her one and only, Ralph John Kraemer.  They were married on September 25, 1948 at St. Nicholas Church in Belle River, MN.  Audrie and Ralph made their home in Parkers Prairie, and raised 9 children there.  In their retirement, they wintered in Mission, TX, and later relocated to Alexandria, MN.

Audrie was a devoted wife and mother, who placed God first in her life.  Along with lovingly caring for her children, Audrie was a member and director of the choir at St. Williams Church for many years.  She also taught Catechism classes and was a member of the Christian Mother’s.  Audrie was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.

She loved music; playing the piano and accordion, and singing.  Audrie was a voracious reader, loved travelling and camping.  She always looked forward to summers by the lake, whether it was vacationing at Ideal Beach with family, visiting her parent’s cabin on Horseshoe Lake by Merrifield, or being at Lake Ida once they had a cabin of their own. Audrie was a gifted seamstress who sewed everything from pajamas to her daughters’ wedding dresses and anything in between.  She also enjoyed quilting, baking and was an avid golfer with two holes-in-one to her name.  No puzzle was a match for her and she almost always had a camera wherever she went.   Every family member was gifted with a rosary that she made, and she also sent thousands of them to the missions over the years.  Audrie canned everything from the garden, made jellies and jams and always prepared delicious meals and desserts for her family.

Audrie had a deep love for her husband and family, but most of all was her love for our Lord.  She was devoted to prayer, especially for her children, and an evening did not go by without us praying the rosary as a family.  She was truly a role model and inspiration for her family, showing us how to live lives of love and service.

Audrie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph; siblings and their spouses, Bob (Mary) Williams, Helen (Norb) Sirba, Gene (Alma) Williams, Marge (Bob) Spurgin and Jerome (Lois) Williams, sister-in-law Dorothy Williams, and son-in-law Rick Ostman.

She is survived by her children, Peggy Ostman, Jane (Steve) Gahlon, Connie (Ryan) Bremmer, Al Kraemer, Tom (Denise) Kraemer, Carol (Patrick) Rice, Steve (Alana) Kraemer, Ann (Lee) Kirkegaard, Judy (Karl) Smith; 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; brother, Richard Williams; and many nieces and nephews.

Audrie’s family would like to thank the staff at Bethany on the Lake and Knute Nelson Hospice for their exceptional care during these last months.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023, 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home with a Parish Prayer Service at 4:00 PM.  Visitation will continue on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 10:00 - 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at St. Williams Catholic Cemetery in Parkers Prairie.