In Memory of Lexi Kretsch

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On Wednesday, May 4th, a boulder and plaque monument in honor of Lexi Kretsch was installed near the playground area behind the Victoria Recreation Center at Diethlm Park.

Lexi died on Friday, July 10th, 2015, at the age of 16 as the result of a tragic car accident near Mankato.  Lexi is the daughter of Victoria City Clerk Jennie Kretsch.

In addition to a profile of Lexi set into a bronze plaque, pages from the book Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney are also featured.

Said Mother Jennie, “That was her favorite book when she was little.”  Lexi worked in the daycare at the Rec Center, and with the playground program when they were short of help.

Said Jennie, “Lexi loved working and being with the kids.  She didn’t consider it work.  This is something to remember her by, her love of children, and for parents to read the story or the kids to read the story.  It’s something fun and unique at the playground.  Rubbings of the plaque turn out really neat, too.”

How did Jennie come to hire Tom Miller for the monument?  “He is the famous artist who did the Kasota Stone Buffalo in Mankato, and he does a lot of work for Holy Family Catholic High School,” she replied.  “I have a lot of family in Mankato and grew up in New Ulm, so I’ve spent a lot of time in Mankato.  When I came up with the idea, I thought of him and knew where he lived and just stopped in there to see if he could do it.  He said he’d be honored.”

Jennie said Tom Miller worked with a company to do the plaque, and from there he did all the stone work, chipping, cutting, and installing it.