Arthur Raymond Kromminga
Arthur Raymond Kromminga
Monticello
Our Dad, Arthur Raymond Kromminga entered this world by way of Castle Grove Township, west of Monticello, on Oct. 15, 1936.
This bouncing red headed dutch baby boy was the fourth child of Raymond and Matilda Behrends Kromminga.
Dad attended Castle Grove Country School Number 4. He graduated from Monticello High School, with the class of 1955.
In October of 1956 Dad and our mother, Sharon Freese, daughter of Alva and Carol Naylor Freese, were married, which worked out really well as Dad began farming on his Father’s farm and Alva was the Ford Tractor Dealer!
Dad and Mom farmed in the Castle Grove township for 6 years…very productive years indeed, not only in the agricultural sense, but also in their family life as four children were born during this time on the farm. (The names being currently withheld to protect the innocent)!
In 1964 Dad and Mom packed up the clan and headed west, not in search of gold as one may think, but in fact, for Dad to sell and assemble Cuckler Buildings in Colorado. He later became the freight supervisor for Edson Express Trucking of Colorado.
In the summer of 1969 Dad received a call from our Grandfather Alva Freese who owned the Ford Cars and Farm Equipment Dealership in town. At this time Ford Motor Company was requiring Car Dealers to be separate from Tractor Dealers. Grandpa Freese asked Dad the question that would give he and Mom cause to pack up the family and head back to Iowa. That question was, ”Art how would you like a business of your own”?
The old airport property south of Monticello was purchased from the city and thus began Kromminga Motors.
Dad gained great satisfaction from selling and servicing Ford Farm Equipment, which later became New Holland Equipment. Dad owned and operated the business for the rest of his career until retirement in 2004. Although he told the boys he was retiring… on any given day, if he and Mom weren’t in their motorhome traveling through Mexico or heading down to Naples, Fla., to their home for the winter, you would find him making deliveries or carrying the title of chief lawn and lot engineer at the shop.
Going to auctions became a retirement passion of Dad’s, earning him the nickname of Fred Sanford from the famed “Sanford and Son” TV show. This nickname was bestowed upon him by Greg and Rich.
Other passions of Dad’s were singing in the church choir and Monticello Men’s choir and golfing.
Dad gained his angel wings on May 30, 2023, at the age of 86, surrounded by much, much love. Welcoming him as he crossed over were his parents, Raymond and Matilda Kromminga, and Esther Kromminga; son, Richmond Kromminga and grandson, Kole Kromminga; his sister, Verona Landis; his parents-in-law, Alva and Dorothy Freese and Carol Meier; and brothers-in-law, Willis Harms, Dick Landis and Wes Hanken, Johnny Freese and Phillip Freese.
We envision the reunion being lively and joyful with Rich saying, “Welcome Home Dad!” and Kole asking “Grandpa, where ‘ya been?”
Survivors include Our Mother Sharon; daughter, Crystal (Dick) Lindaman of Smithfield, Va.; son, Greg (Christi) Kromminga of Monticello; daughter, Vanessa (Bob) Reiter of Denver, Colo.; daughter-in-law, Kris (Mike) Riley of Monticello; and sisters, Nedra Hanken, Ruth Harms and Marla Paulsen.
Surviving also are eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Rest in Peace Dad….Until we are all together again.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at St Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello, with private interment in Oakwood Cemetery. Pastor Dave Raemisch will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9 until time of service at the church. By visiting goettschonline.com, you may share your thoughts, memories and condolences with Arthur’s family.