Germaine Elizabeth Ann (Kronauer) Vincent

Germaine Elizabeth Ann (Kronauer) Vincent passed away Sunday, Oct. 22 at  Aurora Hospital and was able to say goodbye and tell her family she loved them.

Born Jan.4, 1933 in Menominee, Mi., to Marcus Cornelius Kronauer I and Lydia Dorothy (Durow) Kronauer, she graduated from Menominee High School in 1951 and was the secretary of her class, was on the Girl’s Tennis Team and a member of Tri-Y and the Rifle Club. In 1952, her classmate and best friend, Clair Vincent, set Germaine up with her brother, James Vincent on a blind date when he was on leave from the Navy during the Korean War. They fell in love and were married May 16, 1953 and they raised five children on the shores of Green Bay, near her parents. While he was in service she supported her five children and made and sold tacos during the Bay Jammer, where James was Sea Scout Skipper.

During World War II, she lived in Madison, where her father was employed by the United States Air Force. In 1945 the family was transferred to Belleville, Il., where she took an interest in painting and entered her artwork in many school competitions.

After the war, her parents purchased Utopia Beach from her aunt Lydia’s brother, Albert Durow. It had 10 cabins, a store with their home connected and a gas station with full service. She worked pumping gas, cleaning cabins and in the store, where she taught Rosemaling and other painting classes. In the 70’s her husband turned two of their motel units into a painting studio and workshop called Germaine’s Husflid, where she taught many different styles of painting. She also ran many bus trips to the Chicago Art Institute and was also commissioned to paint and decorate a McDonald’s in Iron Mountain, Mi. in Swedish Rosemaling design. A talented artist in Rosemaling, oil painting, water colors, acrylics and Norwegian Wood Carving, she traveled to Norway many times to take painting and carving classes with Norwegian teachers. The couple also traveled to Europe, Hawaii and Alaska and also in the United States for Naval Ship Reunions.

She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, volunteered for many fundraisers and was known for her Swedish Pancake Batter. A lifetime member and past president of the Menominee Historical Society, she was also a 50-Year member and past president of Menominee GFWC, the West Shore Fishing Museum, the American Legion Auxiliary, MAAC, the Red Hat Society, Book Club, Sewing Club, Sons of Norway, GLOVES (a Victorian Club), Ladies Victorian Club, a Past Matron of Eastern Star and a Life Member and volunteer of Vesterheim Norwegian Museum in Decorah, Ia., where she attended many Nordic Fests and participated in many classes. She will be remembered for her tap dancing skills that she pursued for over 50 years.

Survivors include three daughters, Valinda Lee Vincent of Detroit, Mi. and twins, Leila Ann and Lisa Marie Vincent of Menominee/Marinette, daughter-in-law Gina Vincent.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Rosalie “Tudy” Kronauer; special cousins, Janet Gustafson and Ruby Isaacson; many nieces and nephews she loved dearly; other special cousins and special friends, Norma Wagness and Anne Kelly.

She was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, James Joseph Vincent I, USNR; daughter, Nadine Renee “Dini” Vincent USAF; sons, James Vincent II USN and USCG and Jeffrey Joseph Vincent; parents, Lydia and Marcus Kronauer; brother, Marcus Cornelius II; great-grandchildren, Aiden Cahill, James Tyler Cahill, Lydia Mora Cahill and Germaine Leila Cahill; and many special sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and cousins.

Visitation will be at Bethel Lutheran Church in Menominee on Sat., Nov. 18 from 11am. until time of the funeral services held at 1pm., with Rev. Dr. Lee Goodwin officiating, followed by a luncheon. Burial will be in the Birch Creek Cemetery. Hansen Onion Martell Funeral Home of Marinette is assisting the family.