Frances S. Krommenhoek

Frances Selina Krommenhoek, 87, of Los Alamos, N.M., formerly of Sioux City, died of lung cancer Sunday, April 30, 2006, in Los Alamos.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel, with the Rev. Gerald Bruhn of Bethany Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Krommenhoek was born in Sioux City on Nov. 30, 1918, the daughter of Eugene and Palma (Petersen) Gnehm. She was one of four children including Helen Larson, Harry Gnehm and Eugene Gnehm Jr. She graduated from Central High School in 1935.

In 1938, she was married to Martin Krommenhoek, also of Sioux City, a former employee of Great Northern Railroad. Martin retired in 1978 and the couple remained in Sioux City until 1988, when they moved to New Mexico.

While in Sioux City, they were charter members of Bethany Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and remained active there until they relocated to New Mexico. She was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sioux City in 1937 and was followed thereafter by Martin, confirmed also at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. In years, they became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Santa Fe, N.M. ,and later attended Bryce Avenue Presbyterian Church. She served her church through the Lutheran Women's Missionary League while living in Sioux City. The combined efforts of all members was to assist in the mission efforts of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

She lived her entire life as a wife, mother and homemaker. Those who knew her admired her sewing and seamstress talents, which she used throughout her life for a variety of purposes. Later in life, she enjoyed counted cross-stitch and gave many of her pieces as gifts to friends and relatives. Her greatest contribution, however, was the tireless energy she gave to teaching her Sunday School classes which she did for more than 40 years at Bethany Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her husband, Martin Krommenhoek; two children, Paul M. Krommenhoek of Alamo, Calif., and Marlene E. Hinrichs of Los Alamos, N.M. She was grandmother to five children, Erik and Chad Krommenhoek, sons of Paul and Jennifer, and Jeff, Peter and Benjamin Hinrichs, sons of Mark and Marlene. Two great-grandchildren, Noah and Noel Krommenhoek are the children of Erik and Nan of San Marcos, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her son, LCDR Jeffrey M. Krommenhoek who died in 1967 while serving on active duty with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War; a sister; and two brothers.

She was known and loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her.