Theodore "Ted" Krohmer

Theodore “Ted” Herman Krohmer, 86, died at home on March 10, 2017, surrounded by his family after an extended battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2017 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth. Burial will take place in Woodbine Cemetery, Woodbine, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, March 17, 2017 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to Freeport Health Network (FHN) Hospice or GiGi’s Playhouse - Rockford.
Ted was born at home on August 17, 1930 in Elizabeth, IL to John and Marie (Ege) Krohmer. He attended Elizabeth grade and high schools, graduating with the Class of 1948. After high school Ted served in the US Navy from 1951 – 1954, primarily aboard the USS Philippine Sea, as an aviation structural mechanic. Ted married Velda Mae Albrecht on March 1, 1957. He farmed most of his life, first with his dad John, and then with his son John, alongside his wife Velda. He took over the farm from his parents in 1957, where Ted and Velda raised their four children over the next 30 years. Ted “retired” in October 1987 when he moved off the farm to Terrapin Ridge. He continued to help his son John on the farm for several more years, while also working at the Woodbine Bend Golf course mowing the golf greens for seven years.
Ted was a life-long member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he served three different terms as board chairman, and was as a long-time member of the Men’s Club and Church Council. Ted served on the Woodbine Township board (44 years) and the Elizabeth Nursing Home board (21 years). Ted enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and neighbors, attending any celebration or gathering he was able to. Ted also enjoyed volunteering at the Elizabeth Historical Society to share his knowledge of his hometown and having coffee with the “coffee bunch” in his retirement years. A highlight of Ted’s recent years was participating in the Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2012. Ted and Velda celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this month. Ted was most proud of his family, the family farm and being a veteran.
Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Velda, his children Janie Krohmer of Verona, WI, John Krohmer (Donna Tigges) of Elizabeth, Joanne (David) Nold of Rockford and Jodi (Ken) Joung of Winnetka. He had nine grandchildren and step grandchildren: Kurt Krohmer of Elizabeth, Kate Krohmer of Appleton, WI, Morgan Peterson of Verona, WI, Julia Berlage, Grace Berlage, Stephanie Nold and Julianne (Kyle) Spencer all of Rockford, Jacob and Cora Joung of Winnetka; one step-great grandson, Aiden Spencer of Rockford. Other special family members are Rachael and Reece Liscom, Neil Jochman and the Joe Ambrosia family. Ted is survived by two sisters, Leona Trost of Elizabeth and Connie Mueller of Monroe, WI., two sisters-in-law, Joyce Krohmer of Elizabeth and Mary Ellen Rife, of Medina, OH, Godchildren Mary Ambrosia, Pat Klein, Rhonda Bonvillian, and Dan Roberts, and many nieces and nephews.
Ted was predeceased in death by his parents, his brother Wayne Krohmer, brothers-in-law Wayne Trost, Gus Mueller, Jack Graves, Don Rife, and Stanley Albrecht, sister-in-law Jeanette Graves and Godchild Jayne Henrey.
The family wishes to thank the Freeport Health Network (FHN) Hospice staff, especially Anne, Theresa, Nancy and Jeff.