107
Sioux Falls, SD
March 14, 2022
Grace Krumm age 107, the oldest living graduate of Dakota State University, passed away Monday, March 14, in Sioux Falls. Family greeted friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, March 17, at the Miller Funeral Chapel in Hartford, SD. Funeral services began at 10:30 am Friday, March 18, at the Miller Hartford Chapel with burial to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Chester.
Grace Irene Krumm went home to the Lord on Monday, March 14, at Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by her loved ones. Grace was born September 25, 1914, according to her parents, Lars and Marie (Nielsen) Dissing. The doctor incorrectly recorded the date as September 24, 1914. She did enjoy celebrating both days with her favorite cake flavors of carrot and marble with Chef April’s butter cream frosting! She grew up on the family farm by Chester with her siblings, Ann, Emma and Leroy. She graduated from Chester High School in 1932. She graduated from Dakota State University where she received her teaching certificate.
She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Krumm, in Onawa, Iowa on September 28, 1933. They were married seventy-two years until Kenneth’s passing in 2006. She went to live with her granddaughter where she remained until her death. Grace and Kenneth had many adventures in their lives. They made their early homes in Madison, Pipestone, Minn. and Sioux Falls where they raised two children, Montae Rae and Reginald. When the children were small, they ventured to Seattle, Wash. by train to help rivet and build ships for World War II. Grace worked as a medical technician and office support for Dr. Viola Marr in Sioux Falls. They relocated to El Paso, Texas for Kenneth’s job as a sales executive with John Morrell. Grace and Ken managed a large apartment complex in El Paso prior to their next transfer. She enjoyed meeting and helping tenants. Colorado Springs and Denver, Colo. were Grace and Ken’s final moves. She worked in education for the school district and retired back to Chester in 1974. Of the 33 moves over the course of her married life, Colorado Springs, Colo. was her favorite place to live. She loved the mountain scenery and particularly seeing Pike’s Peak directly out her kitchen window.
She enjoyed being a consummate home maker and entertainer for neighborhood friends and Ken’s clients. She was an amazing chef and pastry baker. She was a meticulous home decorator and professional lawn groomer. She loved to mow, trim, garden and especially rake! She often moaned about not being able to get outside in her later life to do these activities. She was a hardworking, focused person who was constantly on the go. Her many talents and hobbies included baking, cooking, crocheting, sewing, bowling (city champion), painting, puzzles, dancing (Mr. and Mrs. Dance Club) and volunteering at church, school and community events. She was an avid reader and enjoyed anything in print. She also loved card playing.
Traditions were an important part of Grace’s life. She especially liked Easter. Not only for the significance of her Christian faith but because it was the start of potato salad season. Her recipe was a absolute family favorite so she made it from April to Ken (Grandpa’s) birthday in November.
Her baked chili was famous for Christmas Eve and she always made every birthday memorable.
There was not anything she could not accomplish yet she remained ever so humble. She was a patient, giving, kind, gentle soul who loved her family and friends beyond measure. She was dedicated, persistent and strong in all her beliefs. She taught many lessons and touched many lives along life’s journey. Our memories of love and laughter will not fade, inside our hearts she will always remain
Grateful for having shared her life are her grandchildren, Greg Mielke (Bridgewater), Paula (Myron) Semrau (Hartford), and Steve (Lisa Barnes) Mielke (Hartford); her great grandchildren, Nathan (Elizabeth) Semrau (Hartford), Dustin (Maria) Mielke (Nipomo, Calif.), Chris (Holly) Mielke (Nipomo, Calif.), Tyler Semrau (Hartford), Austin Mielke(Minneapolis, Minn.) and Ashley (Seth) Golden(Coeur D’Alene, Idaho); her great-great grandchildren, Harrison, Carter and Emmalyn Semrau (Hartford), Caden, and Cameron, and Claire Mielke (Nipomo, Calif.), and William Mielke (Nipomo, Calif.); a sister-in-law, Verla Hanson, niece Rhonda (Larry) Schidhauer, and nephew Reed Hanson, all from (Dell Rapids); and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Lars and Marie Dissing, her husband Kenneth; two children, Reginald Krumm and Montae Rae Mielke; son-in-law Paul Mielke, and granddaughter-in-law Tami Mielke.
Arrangements provided by Miller Funeral Home.