Pauline Kriener

Wednesday, April 29, 2015 2:08 pm

Pauline Kriener, 89, of Fort Atkinson, died Friday, April 24, 2015, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Hampton. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Nick March officiating. Mass servers are Jack Herold and Dick Nienhaus. Organist is Jeannette Dietzenbach. Cantor and soloist is Dan Silhacek. St. John’s Choir sang “Servant Song,” “Eye Has Not Seen,” “I am the Bread of Life,” “Ave Maria,” “Goin’ Home” and “Be Not Afraid.” Lectors are Holly Maas, Mary Lynn Driscoll and Raelyn Langreck. Offertory gift bearers are Abby Kriener, Kim Woodin, Haley Kriener and Erin Hoffert. Eucharistic ministers are Mary Kriener, Joan Driscoll, Ron Kriener and Jim Kriener. Casket bearers are Mike Kriener, Steve Driscoll, Tom Driscoll, David Driscoll, John Driscoll, Ryan Kriener, Reece Kriener and Adam Kriener. Interment is at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson.

Pauline Julia (Busta) Kriener was born Sept. 1, 1925, the daughter of Joseph and Maggie (Kacher) Busta, near Fort Atkinson, on the family farm. Pauline attended Catholic grade school and high school in Fort Atkinson from 1931-43. She later went to the Iowa State Teacher’s College (University of Northern Iowa) for her teaching certificate. She taught in the Wheatman Country School between Calmar and Decorah for two years. Pauline was united in marriage Oct. 2, 1945, to Ignatius “Iggie” Henry Kriener at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson by Rev. Stephen Kucera. Pauline and Iggie farmed near Fort Atkinson for many years until they retired and moved into Fort Atkinson in 1987. Pauline took a break from teaching for 23 years to raise her six children. She went back to the classroom in 1969 and taught 4th grade at St. John’s School in Fort Atkinson seven years and St. Luke’s of St. Lucas for 11 years when the two schools consolidated. She retired in 1987, but subbed for the next two years. Pauline enjoyed walking, gardening, feeding and watching the birds and playing the piano. Her favorite pastimes were quilting, reading, playing cards and traveling. Her grandchildren were her life and she made every visit special and a learning experience. She attended many of her children and grandchildren’s sporting and school events. She was often referred to by many school children as their “favorite teacher.” Pauline was an extremely kind hearted lady and will be missed by many. Pauline was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, where she played the organ and sang in the choir. She also belonged to the National Catholic Order of Foresters.

Pauline is survived by her two daughters, Joan (William) Driscoll, Lancaster, Wis. and Mary (Ruth Widerski) Kriener, Lexington, Mass.; four sons: Bob (Sue) Kriener, Brooklyn; Ron (Jan) Kriener, Waverly,; Loren (Brenda) Kriener and Jim (Danna) Kriener, both of Fort Atkinson; 15 grandchildren: Mike (Lisha) Kriener, Kim (Greg) Woodin, Holly (Anthony) Maas, Ryan (Leah) Kriener; Steve Driscoll, Tom (Sarah) Driscoll, David (Liz) Driscoll, Mary Lynn Driscoll, John Driscoll, Erin Hoffert, Abby Kriener, Adam Kriener, Raelyn (Nick) Langreck, Reece Kriener and Haley Kriener; 10 great-grandchildren: Cayden and Kennedy Kriener, Connor and Taylor Woodin, Hudson Maas, Payton, Nolan and Adrienne Kriener, Madeline and Joseph Driscoll; brothers-in-law: Linus Kriener, New Hampton; Peter (Diane) Kriener, Fort Atkinson; Jerome (Madonna) Kriener, Fort Atkinson; Conrad (Kathleen) Kriener, Fort Atkinson; and Herman (Greta) Kriener, Decorah; sisters-in-law: Anastasia Kriener, Rosemary Kriener and Anita Busta, all of Fort Atkinson; and Eleanor Mracek, Protivin; along with numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews. 

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Maggie (Kacher) Busta and a brother, Edward, in infancy. Also preceding her was her husband, Ignatius Kriener, in 2002; a grandson, Christopher Kriener; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Mary (Kuennen) Kriener; and brothers-in-law: Cyril Kriener, Francis Kriener, Lawrence Kriener, Leo Kriener, Reuben Mracek and Godlove Busta.