Sister Geraldine Krautkramer died on Feb. 9, 2023. The former Bonita Louise Krautkramer was born on March 31, 1945, in Green Bay, the fifth child of six of the late Walter and Cecilia (Kabat) Krautkramer. She entered the convent in 1963, professed her vows in 1966, and celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2014.
Sister Geraldine earned a bachelor's degree in theology at Marquette University in Milwaukee and a master's degree in religious education at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. She obtained a supervisor license from the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education and from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
She served as a teacher at St. John, Howard; St. Boniface, De Pere; and St. Mary, Peshtigo, and was the director of religious education at St. Paul, Combined Locks, and St. Matthew/Resurrection, Green Bay. She also served as Chaplain and CPE supervisor at St. Luke Hospital, Milwaukee, and St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay. As a parish leader she served as a Pastoral Associate at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Green Bay, and Circle of Faith Catholic Community, Denmark, and as Pastoral Leader at St. James, Cooperstown, and St. Joseph, Kellnersville.
Sister Geraldine lived a life of gratitude daily to God and felt privileged to be able to provide a ministry of service to God’s people. She brought love and compassion as well as received and learned from those she served.
Survivors include the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross and Associates; a brother, James (Linda) Krautkramer; a sister, Pat (Marvin) Biese; brother-in-law, John (Jane) Van Asten; sister-in-law, Janet Krautkramer; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, sisters Carolyn Krautkramer & Ruth Van Asten; and brother Kenneth Krautkramer.
Friends may call at Holy Cross Church, 3009 Bay Settlement Road, Green Bay, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, beginning at 5 pm for the Visitation followed by the Vigil Service at 6:30 pm. The Visitation for Sister Geraldine will continue on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 9:30–10:45 am. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 am with the Very Rev. Luke Ferris as Celebrant. It will be live-streamed on https://www.facebook.com/holycrossparishfamily/. Burial will be in St. Francis Convent Cemetery. To send online condolences, please go to www.gbfranciscans.org.
The Sisters of St. Francis and the family of Sister Geraldine wish to express their gratitude to the Sisters and nursing staff at St. Francis Convent, the caring staff at Caraton Commons, and the Hospice personnel from ProMedica Hospice who provided such loving care and support.
