Elvira Krogmeier
Elvira Geraldine (Rescinito) Krogmeier of Holyoke died peacefully at home Jan. 9, 2022, at the age of 86.
She wrote her own story years ago for a Phillips County history book, and using that, we’d like to let her tell you about herself (edited for continuity and narrative).
“My name is Elvira G. Krogmeier. I was born in Galesburg, Illinois, on Feb. 25, 1935. My family and I resided in Abingdon, Illinois, 200 miles southwest of Chicago. My parents were Matteo and Rachelle (Receniello) Rescinito, emigrants from Italy. I was the youngest of my siblings.
I attended Washington Grade School in Abingdon. I was crowned homecoming queen (1952) of Abingdon High School and graduated from AHS in 1953. After high school I began working for an insurance agency. My work consisted of typing up insurance policies, operating the teletype machine (incoming and outgoing telegrams), and also serving as a notary public from 1953 until 1958.
On June 1, 1957, I married C. William Krogmeier from Amherst. The wedding took place at All Souls Catholic Church, Abingdon. To this union, four children were born: Christina “Tina,” Thomas “Tom,” Tamara “Tammy” and Matthew “Matt.”
We lived in Abingdon until 1961. That year Bill and I, Tina and Tom moved to Amherst. I also served as a notary for several years when we lived in Amherst.
Other dates that I remember: In 1950 I won $50 as a door prize at our local theater, our engagement in October 1956, our marriage in 1957 and the birth of our four children. I have eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
I worked at the Amherst Post Office as postmaster. I started as a substitute, then on June 10, 1983, I was installed as postmaster, the first woman to hold the position in the history of the Amherst Post Office.
Over the years, I had several interests and hobbies, like crocheting, knitting, doing craft work, collecting dolls, taking piano lessons and collecting art pottery pieces from my hometown. I cheer on the Denver Nuggets and Notre Dame Fighting Irish! We enjoyed going to Nuggets games once in a while. I even learned to use an iPad and enjoyed several word games!
As a child of Italian immigrants, I’m extremely proud of my Italian heritage! My claim to fame locally are my Italian cookies (pizzelle)! But my most enduring family legacy is making ricotta cheese! ‘Stir the milk in the pot with the handle of the wooden spoon ... one direction only, no reversing, or you’ll undo the cheese!!’
I’m proud of the fact that my children and grandchildren keep the family recipes as part of their own families’ traditions. It’s important, or it will become a lost art, and that would be a shame ... I’ll tell anyone that will listen ... all my children know how to make the ricotta, and most of my grandchildren too!
‘Tutti a tavola a mangiare!’”
Elvira is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bill of Holyoke; daughter, Tina of Holyoke; grandson, Tony and wife Melissa and family of Mount Juliet, Tennessee; son, Tom and wife Sue of Wellington; grandson, Garrett of Haxtun; grandson, Elliott and wife Caley of Edgewood, Washington; daughter, Tammy and husband Tim of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, John, Abby and Megan of Fort Worth; granddaughter, Crystal and family of Fort Worth; granddaughter, Stephanie and family of Hays, Kansas; and son, Matt and wife Mary of Lenexa, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Matteo and Rachelle; sisters, Anna, Mary, Antoinette and Rose; and brother, Joe.
The funeral was held Jan. 20 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Holyoke, with Father Jerry Rohr officiating. Interment followed at Holyoke Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Melissa Memorial Hospital Foundation Cardiac Rehab.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.