Jermitt Jerome Krage

STOUGHTON - Jermitt Krage, born near Leola, S. D., in 1933, died on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the age of 92, surrounded by family in Stoughton, Wis.

Jermitt grew up in Columbia, S. D. He always felt deep gratitude to that small town, and his loving family, for the start of his remarkable life. Jermitt grew up knowing everyone in town, and they knew him. He learned to love the out-of-doors there, going with his dad to the Sand Lake Wildlife Refuge, and learning to hunt and fish. He had opportunities to play every sport in his school and became an excellent athlete, excelling at baseball and basketball, which led to a full scholarship. An injury caused him to lose his scholarship, and facing the draft as a certainty, Jermitt enlisted instead. His military service in the U.S. Army lasted for four years, and since enlisting allowed him to choose a specialty, he graduated from the first military nurses’ training program. Jermitt was determined to earn a college education and went on to graduate from Northern State Teachers College in 1960 and from the University of South Dakota in 1965, with a master’s degree in Botany. He was never, ever done with learning, though. He accumulated 27 post graduate credits in Psychology from the University of Michigan and nine post graduate credits in Organizational Development from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He read books with an appetite.

Jermitt's mission in life was to improve the lives of children, teachers and other school employees. His career led him to teach in Hartington, Neb., Sioux City, lowa and Milwaukee, Wis. Looking to extend his reach for school improvement, Jermitt then worked for 33 years for the Wisconsin Education Association Council as an educational consultant and for 15 years for the National Education Association and for local school districts in numerous states.

Jermitt made friends wherever he went. He never lost the twinkle of mischief in his eyes, or the kindness of his smile. He loved a good practical joke, the more elaborate the better. He was a prolific storyteller, recognizing that a story is what reaches people’s hearts. His love of stories led him to self-publish three books. A boy of the unforested Great Plains, he had a lifelong obsessive love for trees, planting thousands of them every year on his land in Wisconsin Rapids-with a little help from his friends!

Jermitt was married to Doris Yeske on New Year’s Day, 1954, and they had two daughters whom he adored, Karmen (Derek Lamb) and Kristi. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Branden Jermitt Krage-Suter, Benjamin Marlowe (Chloe Silbaugh) Krage-Suter, Richard (Dana Taylor) Suter, Sarah Suter (Dylon) Teeter and Michael (Desiree Skalak) Suter, who lit up his world; and dear great-grandchildren, Hoyt and Rudy Krage-Suter, Brayden, Brice, and Talon Suter, Scarlett Teeter, and Isabella and Emily Suter. Jermitt is also survived by his cherished sister, Carol Krage-Reed; half-sisters, Mary Wright and Colleen Peterson; and half-brother, Jerome Moriarty. He had many beloved nephews and nieces as well. He’ll be so missed by his dear companion of many years, Betty Hart, and her son, Matthew. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Doris; his parents, Herman and Anna (Jasmer) Krage; two brothers, Orville and Robert Krage; one brother-in-law, Jerry Reed; and one nephew, Danny Krage.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or the McFarland Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

Madison, Wis.

(608) 221-5420