Herman Kriener

Thursday, April 5, 2018 7:59 pm

Herman Kriener, 87, of Spillville, died Monday, April 2, 2018, at the Barthell O.E.S Home in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Monday, April 9, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, with Rev. Robert Gross officiating. Lectors were Carol Kreter and Beverly Meyer. Offertory gift bearers were Marie Hunt, Kala Kriener, Kaitlyn Kriener and Jenny Hammersland. Organist was Lane Rich. Soloist was Dan Silhacek. The St. Wenceslaus Choir also sang at the Mass. Hymns were “Alleluia, Alleluia (Ode to Joy),” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Amazing Grace,” “Goin Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Eucharistic ministers were Kathy Hauschild, Jim and Dana Kriener. Casket bearers were Darren Kriener, Jeff Eide, Kevin Eide, Brad Eide, Dillion Hammersland, Beau Hunt and Brandon Kriener. Interment St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery Spillville. Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home.

Herman Joseph Kriener was born Jan. 4, 1931, the son of Peter and Mary (Kuennen) Kriener on the family farm near St. Lucas. He attended St. Luke’s Catholic School through eighth grade and then started farming on his parent’s farm. Herman met Greta Klimesh while at a dance at the Inwood Ballroom and they later married Sept. 10, 1952, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Together they had seven children: Carol, Beverly, Alan, Donald, Larry, Dale and Kathy. Herman and Greta farmed one of their parent’s farms for a few years starting in 1952, and then purchased their own farm near Spillville in 1955. Herman was a passionate, lifelong farmer. He and Greta farmed their 1200 acres with their children until 1990, at which time they semi-retired and moved to Spillville. On Sundays in the summer, Herman loved to drive around and check his crops. He took great pride in how his crops looked and derived much pleasure from the harvest successes in the fall. Herman spent his “down time” in the early years playing ball and later on he bowled and golfed. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Atlanta Braves fan, but his true love was always for his family and farming.

Herman is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Greta, and six children: Carol Kreter (Joan Spehar), Robbinsdale, Minn.; Beverly (Dave) Meyer, Slinger, Wis.; Don (Jodi) Kriener, Ridgeway; Larry (Julie) Kriener, Ridgeway; Dale Kriener, Ridgeway and Kathy (Jim) Hauschild, Manchester; 11 grandchildren: Jeff (Michelle) Eide, Kevin (Jennifer Mannelli) Eide, Brad (Rachel) Eide, Darren (Kayla) Kriener, Jennifer (Dillon) Hammersland, Lexi, Cole, Kala, Kaitlyn and Brandon Kriener, and Marie (Beau) Hunt; Eight great-grandchildren: Elana Polakowski, Ava, Ingrid, Oliver and Magnus Eide; Alyssa and Audrey Kriener, and Adaline Hunt; as well as many nieces and nephews. Herman also is survived by his sister, Anita Busta; brothers: Conrad (Kathleen) Kriener; Peter (Diane) Kriener; and Jerome (Madonna) Kriener; sisters-in-law: Anastasia and Rosemary Kriener; Alice Kay Klimesh; Gloria Klimesh; brothers-in-law: Gordon (Shirley) Klimesh; Gabe (Mary) Klimesh and Gary Klimesh.

Herman was preceded in death by his son, Alan; parents, Peter and Mary; mother and father-in-law, George and Augusta (Houdek) Klimesh; brothers: Cyril, Ignatius (Pauline) Kriener, Francis, Linus, Leo and Lawrence in infancy; sister, Eleanor (Reuben) Mracek; sisters and brothers-in-law: George (Alice Bea) Klimesh, Georgina Andera, Glen Klimesh, Gayle Hudecek and Godlove Busta.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Eastern Star where Herman was a resident as well as the Winneshiek Medical Center and the Winneshiek County Hospice for their special care of Herman the last few months.