Thelma Irene (Cassem) Kormann

Published 9:13 am Monday, June 9, 2025

Thelma Irene (Cassem) Kormann, age 94, passed away peacefully at Colony Court in Waseca, MN, on June 5, 2025.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday June 11^th, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Richland, MN, with a visitation Friedrich’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 10^th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, New Richland, MN. The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed by visiting www.BonnerupFuneralService.com

Thelma was born on January 6, 1931, in Martin County, MN, to Palmer and Hazel (Cutler) Cassem. She was baptized in her home in New Richland. Throughout her life, she remained true to her faith.  She attended Cross of Glory Lutheran Church and was a member of the choir and Rachel Circle. She was also a member of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church where she participated in the choir, quilting group and Circle No. 1.

On December 27, 1951, she married the love of her life, Lowell Kormann, in Mason City, IA. They spent their first year of marriage at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX, before moving back to New Richland. Throughout her life, along with living in Texas, she lived in New Richland, Albert Lea, Hartland and Waseca.

She worked for Land O’ Lakes in New Richland and Albert Lea “candling” eggs for 10 years. In 1957, she started working at Wilson Meat Packing in Albert Lea and continued working there for 31 years before she retired in 1988. After retiring, Thelma and Lowell moved to Mission, TX, where she started playing guitar and harmonica. She took part in the many “jam sessions” around Mission, singing and playing, which she enjoyed very much. She also painted many stunning pictures, crocheted many beautiful afghans, and did Swedish weaving.

Even though they lived in Texas, they spent their summers in Minnesota. They had their camping spot at the White Birch Campground near Breezy Point and spent time in New Richland where she was a member of the New Richland Legion Auxiliary.

When her husband passed away, she made the decision to leave Texas and move back to New Richland to be closer to her family. She truly enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her memory will be cherished by those surviving her including her daughter, Debra (Tom) Berg of Pasco, WA; son, Lonnie (Teri) Kormann of Ellendale, MN; daughter, Jeanne Christenson of Hartland, MN; grandchildren Nathan (Stacy) Berg, Erin (Bart) Barrett, Kateri Berg, Jacob (Nicole) Berg, Stefan (Patch) Berg, Justin (Melissa) Kormann, Jonathan (Tara) Kormann, Tabatha Kormann, and 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Norma Fullerton; brother-in-law, Marlyn Carlson; sister-in-law, Zona Cassem; sister-in-law, Edna Wenzel; sister-in-law, Virginia Kormann; sister-in-law, Barb (Harlen) Beyer; and many nieces and nephews.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Palmer and Hazel Cassem; husband, Lowell Kormann; grandson, Bryan Kormann; son-in-law, Mark Christenson; brothers Loren (Barb) Cassem and Jim Cassem; sisters Martha Mary and Joyce Carlson; father and mother-in-law, Clarence and Agnes Kormann. Those also going before her include brothers-in-law Frank Mary and Bill Fullerton; Kormann in laws, Louis and Evelyn Holtz, Richard and Audrey Stafford, Lawrence Wenzel, Luverne and Betty Kormann, Dale Kormann, Lester and Marian Wenzel, Gerald and Audrienne Kormann, Harlan Kormann and several nieces and nephews.

The family is deeply grateful for the care the staff of Colony Court gave Thelma, and a special thank you to Diane Cossette in Activities.

Memorial donations preferred to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, PO Box 156, New Richland, MN, 56072.