Mary K. (Basso) Krager

Mary K (Basso) Krager, 94 of Chatham (formerly Raymond) passed peacefully on June 23, 2022, IL.

Mary was born on October 7, 1927, in Litchfield, IL, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Bohlmann Basso. He father was an Italian immigrant who worked in the  area coalmines. Her mother worked most of her life at Brown Shoe Fit Factory. Mary’s early interests included watching nickel movies at the Litchfield movie theater and playing basketball at Litchfield High School. As a young woman, Mary volunteered as a candy striper at the Litchfield Hospital

She married Lawrence “Barney” Krager on Feb. 26, 1946 in Litchfield

They were the parents of 4 children, Janet (Glenn) Bruce of Rochester, Betty Horrell of Granite City, Larry (Deb) Krager of Harvel and Don (Karen) Krager of Springfield. Mary had 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence (Barney) Krager, her brother Joseph Basso, her sister Theresa Rhoads, her grandson Andrew Krager, her great grandson Austin Krager, and her great granddaughter Marissa Ehmke.

After marriage, she became a farm wife, always making sure the meals were prepared, the clothes were laundered, the house was impeccably clean, and the homework was completed. Her hobbies included playing cards and she was an accomplished pinochle and bridge player. She also enjoyed watching her children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sports and other events. She rarely missed a Lincolnwood Lancers basketball game in her younger years. She was an Illini basketball and die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and to her final days kept the game and tv schedule close at hand. She enjoyed traveling, especially to see out of state family members, her 50th anniversary Alaskan Cruise and to see Country Music performances in Branson and Nashville. She and Barney were Meals on Wheels volunteers and Mary was formerly active in the St. Raymond’s Alter and Rosary Society.

Mary lived over half her life battling cancer, having been given a terminal diagnosis at age 47, yet beating the disease not once, but three times in her life.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Raymond’s Church in Raymond, IL on Monday June 27, 2022 at 3:00pm.

Visitation will be from 1-3 also at the church, Fr. Joseph Molloy officiating.

Memorials may be made to Montgomery County Cancer Society or Raymond Park District.

Condolences to the Family maybe left at www.houghfuneralhome.com

Hough Funeral Home in Raymond is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.