Virginia A. Kramer

Virginia A. Kramer, age 93, of Winona, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the Gundersen Health System Hospital in La Crosse, WI.

She was born on October 24, 1929, in Arcadia, WI, to Stanley and Esther (Sobotta) Kotlarz, and was a graduate of Arcadia High School.  She was united in marriage with James V. Kramer on October 13, 1948, in Arcadia, WI, and he preceded her in death on September 22, 1981.

Virginia and Jim owned and operated several businesses over the years, including K’s Korral in Nodine; Whispering Pines Supper Club in Ellendale, MN; and Kramer Grocery in Winona on 3^rd and Laird Streets and on Mankato Avenue.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona, the Red Hat Society, and she was named National Mother-of-the-Year in 1989.

Virginia will be remembered for her enjoyment of bowling, camping, and for her love of the outdoors – especially birds and the colors of fall.  She also looked forward to spending time with her friends traveling, going on bus tours, and the coffee group at Hy-Vee. 

Her favorite role in life was that of being a homemaker, and she was a loving wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, and friend who will be deeply missed by all those who loved her the most.

Virginia is lovingly survived by her children: Charlie (Anne) Kramer, Thomas (Jackie) Kramer, Cindy Whetstone, Richard (Carol) Kramer, Michael (Sandra) Kramer, Denise (Jim) Albrecht, Jeffrey Kramer, and Melissa (Chris) Redlin; 15 grandchildren: Lisa (Kirk) Carlson, Krystal (Justin) Young, Christopher (Marissa) Kramer, Chad (Liz) Whetstone, Steff (Monica) Kramer, Tressa (Nicholas) Reed, Lindy (Zack) Diamond, Dani Kramer, Elly Kramer, Jessica (Andy) McCann, Wayne Albrecht, Tawni Kramer, Jaden Kramer, Gavin Redlin, and Ava Redlin; 11 great-grandchildren: Eric, Mason, Owen, Trenton, Devyn, Parker, Mackenzie, Cole, Teagan, Emma, and Decker; siblings: Diane (Dennis) Hill, Mary Kay (Russell) Thomas, and Steve (Barbara) Kotlarz; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter: Katherine; son-in-law: Robert Whetstone; grandson: Aaron Kramer; and brothers: Wayne, Don, and LaVern Kotlarz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12 Noon on Friday, October 13, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona.  The Reverend Will Thompson will officiate.  Virginia will be laid to rest at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Pine Creek, WI.

Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona, on Thursday, October 12, 2023, beginning with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 3:45 PM, with visitation following from 4 PM until 7 PM.  Visitation will also be held at the church on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 11 AM until the time of the Mass.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to their sister, Cindy, who opened her home, and gave such excellent care to mom over the last several years.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Virginia’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.