Cornelia Elizabeth Kryzer

Cornelia Elizabeth (Gernes) Kryzer, age 90, of Lewiston, MN, peacefully passed into eternal life on Jan. 14, 2025. She was born at home in Wilson township on April 11, 1934, to Albert and Sophia (Boerboom) Gernes, graduating from Cathedral High School in 1951, and Winona State Teachers College in 1953. “Cornny” married Leo Kryzer at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wilson on June 25, 1953. Together they raised 12 children on a dairy and chicken farm in Hart township. Cornny taught 1st-8th graders in the Wyattville one-room country school for one year and then stayed home with the children. She worked tirelessly, managing 6000 hens, selling eggs, growing garden produce, making desserts, and sewing beautiful clothing for her family. Of special note were the look-alike dresses she created for her 5 oldest girls! In later years Cornny worked at the nursing home in Rushford, managed the 4-H food stand at the Winona County Fair, and judged many 4-H exhibits at county fairs in southern MN. She and Leo were happily married for 57 years. Cornny possessed a strong faith and devotion to God her entire life.

An energetic volunteer, Cornny served as the organist and choir director at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church near Hart; a religious education teacher for many years at church; the key leader of Happy Hart 4-H Club for several decades; a dedicated volunteer in the L-A Boosters Club until her 80’s; the scorekeeper for high school cross country meets; and a seamstress for Bundles of Love (making hundreds of baby sleepers to donate.) An honor Cornny appreciated was the State of MN 4-H Leader of the Year award for 57 years of service.

Cornny loved traveling with Leo to all the states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada, as well as countries on 5 continents. They enjoyed creating wooden furniture and toys so that each child and grandchild could receive something hand-made every year. In addition, grandchildren also received hand-made quilts for graduations and weddings; several quilts were donated to fundraisers as well. Cornny also loved large family gatherings, playing games, camping, photography, and exhibiting her creations at the Winona County Fair (where she and Leo were crowned King & Queen one year.) Attending sporting events, concerts, and plays that her kids and grandkids were in was always a priority. Cornny’s eyes lit up to the very end whenever she saw babies and little children, looking forward to their hugs and laughing delightedly at their smiles and antics.

Cornelia is survived by eight daughters and four sons: Cleo (Paul) Wenzel, Peggy (Steve) Pasche, Avis Peters, Ida (Larry) Alpert, Brenda (Tom) Hoffman, Roy (Maren) Kryzer, Sara (Jim) Richter, Sam (Beth) Kryzer, Polly (Brent) Greden, Jeff (Marla) Kryzer, Keith (Rachael Cavegn) Kryzer, and Tanya (Zac) Skagerberg, as well as 33 grandchildren: Emily Gutierrez, Joe Wenzel, Tim Wenzel, David Wenzel, Amanda Schroepfer, Erica Colby, Brianna Beenken, Tyler Peters, Ben Alpert, Megan Von Eschen, Amy Hoffman, Nicole Hoffman, Andy Kryzer, Nick Kryzer, Carmen Michels, Rachel Clark, Ryan Richter, Leah Maldonado, Jacob Richter, Caleb Richter, Samantha Kryzer, Josh Kryzer, Luke Greden, Adam Greden, Cole Greden, Kayla Ruen, Kyle Kryzer, Cody Kryzer, Logan Kryzer, Hailey Kryzer, Mason Skagerberg, Ryder Skagerberg, and Josie Skagerberg. In addition she is survived by 32 great-grandchildren: Matteo, Micah, and Asher Gutierrez; Marya, Kateri and Nikolai Wenzel; Anders and Elijah Wenzel; Addison and Landon Schroepfer; Ella and Hudson Colby; Alayna Beenken; Simon Alpert; Amelia and Evelyn Von Eschen; Addilyn and Lainey Kryzer; Bailey and Jack Michels; Arden and Leoni Clark; Shepherd, Maxwell, and Teddy Richter; Malachi Maldonado; Naomi and Zion Richter; Isla and Margot Greden; and Leo and Ada Greden, as well as her brother Norbert Gernes, her sister Sonia Gernes, sisters-in-law Pat Gernes and Dorothy O’Donnell, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents Sophia & Albert Gernes, husband Leo Kryzer, great-grandson Ethan Gutierrez, brother Jerome Gernes, sisters-in-law Mary Gernes-Mueller and Lorraine DeBoer, and brothers-in-law Bud O’Donnell and Ike DeBoer. 

Visitations will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston, MN, on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and also at church Friday morning, Jan. 24, from 9:30 until the funeral Mass begins at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Catholic Relief Services, Winona County 4-H, or Lewiston-Altura Booster Club.

The family would like to thank the compassionate team of caregivers at Callista Court, Winona Hospital, and St. Anne’s Extended Healthcare in Winona.

Cornelia's Mass will be available for viewing via the link below. 

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNzA0ODgzNTM0NTc3NiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==