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Kathleen Croley Bremer

Kathleen C. Bremer, 86, longtime resident of Brookline, NH, formerly of Astoria, OR, and Carthage, MO, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 16, 2018, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Nashua, NH. Kathleen was a welcoming, patient and “peaceful warrior.” She will be remembered for many things including her tireless work ethic, her positive outlook, objectivity and loving heart.

Kathleen loved being a mother and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed gardening, antiquing and exploring destinations in North America, Europe and the West Indies with her husband as well as listening to live music and dancing.

For over 25 years, she was a co-owner and operator of Bremer’s seafood markets in Milford, Peterborough and Nashua, NH, a family business she started with her husband in a converted carriage house on Amherst Street in Milford. Earlier in her career she worked as an executive administrator for banks in Tucson, AZ, and Kansas City, MO, for Clatsop Community College, Astoria, OR, and locally for Hitchiner Manufacturing and Sanders Associates (BAE).

The oldest of three daughters, Kathleen was born in Carthage, MO, on December 13, 1931, to Glenn Clinton Croley and Edna Kirby Croley. She graduated from Carthage High School in 1948 and attended Southwest Missouri State University (MSU) and the University of Missouri to study administration.

While living and working in Kansas City in 1957, she attended a barbecue where she met and then married her husband of 60 years. Together they raised five children, started businesses and engaged with community organizations on both the West and East Coasts. Kathleen served in various volunteer and member roles for the Beaver Brook Association, Maple Hill Gardeners, Friends of the Brookline Public Library, NH Democrats and Sons of Norway-Nidaros Lodge.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Patricia and Sharon.

Survivors include her husband, Rolf H. Bremer; and five children, John P. Bremer and Kari K. Bremer, both of Brookline, NH, Kristine Bremer and her husband, Thomas B. Kirk of Gorman, TX, Rolf C. Bremer of Portsmouth, NH and Glenn L. Bremer of Vinalhaven, ME; a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Badger of Wilton, NH; four granddaughters, Kathleen L. Kirk, Randi E. Kirk, India S. Bremer and Savannah R. Bremer; two step grandsons, Talmage Kirk and Travis Kirk; a niece, Mary K. Tatum of Colorado Springs, CO; a nephew, Richard G. Tatum of New York, NY; and, several Kirby and Croley cousins and extended family.

The family will receive friends at the Bremer home, 128 Old Milford Rd. in Brookline on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at 3:00pm. Burial will be private. Gifts in memory may be made to Beaver Brook Association, SHARE Outreach, Inc, or Brookline Ambulance Service. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.