Anita Kockelman

Anita Kockelman, of Dawson, passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Johnson Memorial Care Center surrounded by her family at the age of 104.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, April 3, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church in Dawson with Father John Hayes officiating and interment in the church cemetery.
Arrangements were with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson. www.andersontebeest.com
Anita Anna Kockelman was born on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 1920, to Leo and Lena (Antony) Abraham. She was born and raised on a farm in Omro Township as the fourth child in a family of fourteen. Anita was baptized, confirmed, and received her first communion at St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, Minnesota. She attended St. Leo Catholic School and District #94, which was near the family farm.
As a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, Anita was an active participant in the St. Leo Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a member of St. James Catholic Church in Dawson, where she was always willing to assist with various church duties. She had been a member of St. James Catholic Church since 1953.
Anita loved to dance, and it was at a dance where she met her husband, Leo. They were united in marriage on January 10, 1939, at the St. Leo Catholic Church. To this union, three children were born, Phyllis, Dennis, and Randy. They lived and farmed in the St. Leo area from 1939 to 1953, at which time they moved to Dawson. While on the farm, Anita helped with the farm work, maintained a large garden, and was a stay-at-home mom.
After moving to Dawson, she worked at the Dawson Bakery, the Dawson Sewing Factory, and the Dawson School Cafeteria. Anita also operated a furniture upholstery business from her home for 12 years.
She was deeply devoted to her special needs son, Randy, and took great pride in caring for him. They enjoyed playing Bingo and going to the casino together. Being a great-grandmother brought her much joy, and she cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren.
Anita had many hobbies including sewing, quilting, crocheting, embroidering, knitting, cross-stitching, and hardanger. She also enjoyed doing crafts of all kinds, including diamond art, and made many keepsakes for her family to treasure.
Anita loved the outdoors and always had a large vegetable garden, from which she did a lot of canning. She was a fantastic cook, known for her delicious desserts. There was always something tasty for her family when they came home to visit. In addition, Anita enjoyed playing Bingo, cards - canasta being her favorite - doing jigsaw puzzles, solving crossword puzzles, and watching the Minnesota Twins on television.
After moving to Dawson, she joined a women’s bowling league and, after retirement, took up golfing, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
She is survived by her children, Phyllis (Norm) Peterson of Dawson and Dennis (Cheryl) Kockelman of Monticello, Minnesota; grandson, Chad (Amber) Kockelman; great-grandsons, Cooper and Camden Kockelman; sisters, Viola Fox of St. Leo and Joyce Rueckert of New Ulm; sister-in-law, Vivian Abraham of Dawson; and numerous, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, in 2008; son, Randy, in 2021; parents, Leo and Lena Abraham; sisters, Eleanor Eischens, Mildred Eischens, Bernice Stafford, Lavina Fox, Betty Lauck and an infant sister, Miriam; brothers, Arnold, Clarence, Leroy, Ralph and Lambert; brothers-in-law, Joe Eischens, Norbert Eischens, Robert Stafford, Virgil Fox, Norman Fox, Vernon Lauck and Delmar Rueckert; sisters-in-law, Hildegard (Olson) Abraham, Marie (Eckart) Abraham, Patricia (Mitteness) Abraham and Alice (Schacherer) Abraham.
Blessed be her memory.