Thomas "Tom" George Kraemer

Thomas “Tom” Kraemer, a.k.a. Tommy Tree, age 73 of Alexandria, MN passed away surrounded by his loving family on January 6, 2024 in the St. Cloud Hospital. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of over 44 years, DeeAnn Kraemer; children: Jeff Kraemer, Greg (Shannon Hill) Kraemer, grandson Tyler Kraemer, all of Ft. Worth, TX.  Brothers; John (Doris) Kraemer, Joe (Kristi) Kraemer and brother-in-law; Kevin Howie.  As well as many other beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his mother and father; Cornelius and Collette Kraemer and in-laws, Robert and Helen Howie.

Tom was born on November 5, 1950 in Alexandria, MN to Cornelius and Collette Kraemer.  He attended Washington Elementary, St. Mary’s Catholic school and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1969. Tom furthered his education at Normandale Junior College and graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors of Science in Forestry. He then went on to obtain a Masters in Business Administration from Mankato State University in 1981.

Tom’s career path began in 1974 as a consultant forester for Reese Brothers Forestry in Washington state. From there he went on to work for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as a district forester and promoted to a forest products utilization and marketing specialist. At which time he received the honor of “Forester of The Year” of 1980 for outstanding achievement in forestry which was presented by the University of Minnesota.

Tom began his career in the railroad industry with the now Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad in 1981 as “Marketing Manager – Primary Forest Products”. He moved to “Marketing Manager – Pulp & Paper” in 1983. In 1984, he assumed the position of “Manager – Strategic Planning” and moved to “Director – Interline Marketing” in 1986. Tom became “General Manager – Equipment Management” in 1988 and then “General Manager – Locomotive Management” in 1991. During the same year he was promoted to assistant “Vice President – Coal Logistics”. In 1993, he was promoted again to “Vice President – Iron & Steel Business Unit”. From 1994 to 1995 he served as “General Manager – Coal Service Design”. He served as “General Manager – Coal Planning & Logistics” from November 1995 to May 1996, when he was then promoted to “Vice President – Coal & Grain Operations”. By 1999 he was appointed to the Coal Business Unit as “Group Vice President” at the same time he was also Chairman of “The Department of Energy’s National Coal Council”. After 25 years of railroad service Tom retired in 2006 at the age of 55.  Upon retirement, Tom became a board member of an ethanol company called Ethanex, spending a few years working with them.

Living on the lake in Minnesota was a dream come true for Tom and DeeAnn, so retirement brought them back to Toms home town of Alexandria in 2007 after spending 23 years in Texas. Fishing was one of Tom’s meaningful hobbies as well as waterfowl hunting with his family and friends. He loved being outdoors and was a nature enthusiast, which included growing fresh vegetables and flowers every summer. When on the lake he also loved to tube with his sons and do some water skiing himself. Aside from the outdoors, Tom and his wife traveled throughout the world savoring every minute of their adventures. Several of their trips also included their dear friends where they created many great memories together.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alexandria United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024, 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue on Friday, January 19, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Alexandria with Funeral Service at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.