Virginia Louise (Hain) Krasser died Thursday, March 31, 2011 at her home. Virginia was born on a farm on January 29, 1926 to Carl and Louise (Kading) Hain in Guthrie County, Iowa. In April of 1926, at 3 months old, Virginia lost her father and moved to Casey, Iowa, along with her 4 older brothers, where they lived with her Grandmother Kading. In 1932 they moved to Cordova, Nebraska with a new stepfather who was called to be a pastor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Virginia could recall her stepfather showing them the big windmill landmark in the middle of town. The parsonage next to the church was to be their new home for the next few years. Before long they were making new friends in the neighborhood and in school. Virginia started taking music lessons and her teacher, Elna Hansen, charged 25 cents for each weekly lesson. Her stepfather put her to work playing the old pump organ. Times were difficult but one Christmas 75 pennies were collected to compensate for her services. With braces on her teeth, her stepfather would take Virginia to see Dr. Wallace in Friend, and she bought a deck of cards called Rook with the 75 pennies. They played Rook and ate lots of popcorn, especially in the winter.
Very few teenagers had their own cars during that time. So, her parents took turns escorting their children to out-of-town school games.
Her mother baked twice a week and Virginia could still remember the aroma of her mother’s home baked bread and rolls. Virginia’s first jobs were to clean the upstairs bedrooms and frost the rolls each Saturday. Since there was no TV, her mother would turn on the radio and they would listen to Fibber McGee & Molly, Jack Benny, and Minnie Pearle.
Virginia remembered her folks had a cow (ha, ha) and her mother would make tapioca pudding, and cottage cheese. She peddled her mother’s cheese for 10 cents a pint.
Some summers her dad would let her spend a month or so with Grandma Hain on the farm in Iowa and visit cousins, uncles and aunts. Virginia loved that, and Grandma Hain became a strong Christian influence and example in her life, along with her dear Christian aunts and uncles, which Virginia treasured.
The depression years forced her stepfather to resign his ministry. With a younger sister plus two brothers to support besides her four brothers, he started a trucking and later combine business and they all moved to a different house in Cordova. Eventually they all finished school in Cordova and her four brothers joined the Army and three of them were in the World War II conflict. After graduating from high school, Virginia took some stenographic classes in Lincoln and worked for American Lightning Rod Company.
In March, 1946, she married her high school sweetheart and classmate and settled on a farm two miles north of Cordova, where she remained throughout her life. They became parents of twelve children. In the 1960’s unfortunately her husband developed kidney disease, and had three kidney transplants at Colorado General Hospital, but succumbed and died in 1972.
Preceeded in death by her husband, Rex, parents, four brothers, a grandchild, a great grandchild, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Iowa.
Virginia is survived by her children; Arnold of Friend, Dianne and husband Richard Plock of Lincoln, Kenneth and wife Peggy of Beaver Crossing, Paul and wife Patty of Crete, Deb Petersen of Lincoln, Marcia and husband Dick Erdkamp of York, Leonard of Friend, Larry of Exeter, Mary Krasser of Lincoln, Doug of Lincoln, Lee and wife Lisa of Crete and Lois and husband Jim Petersen of York, 19 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, two brothers, one sister and numerous cousins, nieces & nephews.
Virginia tried to overcome her fears by the power of faith, seeking strength for each day.
Funeral services were conducted from the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cordova with Pastor Brian Tuma officiating. Wilma Gard accompanied Jayne Petersen who sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and “How Great Thou Art” and the congregation who sang “Beautiful Savior”, “Abide With Me”, “Heaven Is Our Home” and “Amazing Grace.” Casket bearers were Corey Erdkamp, Brian Erdkamp, Adam Krasser, Robbie Petersen, Lance Roach, Race Krasser, Lane Krasser, Louis Krasser and Shane Krasser. Honorary bearers were Stanley Rhoades, Don Petersen, Wayne Olson, Rex Jurgensen, Hank Jasinski, Robert Vleck and All Sunday Bible Study Meembers. Interment was in the Exeter Cemetery with Farmer Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are directed to the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pilots for Christ, Local Food Pantries or donors choice.
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