Ralph H. Kramer, 1941-2015

KRAMER, BRUNSMANN, ELGIN, MICHELS, LINK, CONNELLY, EHRLICH, KRUSE, LUDWIG, GIBBS, DAVIS, DEUTMEYER, DREES

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/25/2015 at 08:15:02

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Sunday, January 4, 2015

DYERSVILLE, Iowa - Ralph H. Kramer, 73, of Dyersville, Iowa, and formerly of Farley, Iowa, died Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 3 p.m. at his home in rural Dyersville, surrounded by his family.

Friends and relatives of Ralph may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 1:00 p.m., and the Farley Fire Department will meet in a body at 7:00 p.m.

Services for Ralph will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2015, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa, with Rev. John Haugen Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Farley, Iowa, with Full Military honors afforded by the Farley American Legion Post 656.

Ralph was born November 3, 1941, in New Vienna, Iowa, son of Alvin and Lucinda (Brunsmann) Kramer. He received his education in the rural New Vienna area schools. On May 3, 1961, he was united in marriage to Darlene Elgin, at St. Clement's Catholic Church in Bankston. She preceded him in death on October 6, 2014.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and always enjoyed his horses and camping, especially the nights around the campfire with family and friends.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Parish and formerly of St. Clements Parish. Ralph served in the Army National Guard.

He is survived by five sons, Randy (Rhonda) Kramer, Dennis (Dana) Kramer, Pat (Deb) Kramer, Todd (Kristi) Kramer and Rodney Kramer, all of Farley, IA; daughter-in-law, Jolene Kramer, of Farley, IA; 12 grandchildren, Russell (Marlee) Kramer, Ryan Kramer (special friend, Laura Faber), Austin Kramer (special friend, Katelyne Domeyer), Carter Kramer, Sarah (Robby) Michels, Katie Kramer (special friend, Chris Smock), Nick Kramer (special friend, Natalie Fischer), Collin Kramer, Tanner Kramer, Grant Kramer, Lauren Kramer, and Grace Kramer; 2 great-grandchildren, Rae Lynn Kramer and Ethan Michels; one sister, Lavonne (John) Ludwig, of Anamosa, Iowa; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Judy and Dick Link, of Farley, Lynn and Ronnie Connelly, of Dubuque, Vince Ehrlich and Dorothy Elgin, both of Dubuque, Rosemary Kruse, of Bankston, Lou Ann Deutmeyer and Sharon and Tom Ludwig, both of Dyersville, Betty and Dave Ludwig, of Worthington, Linda Elgin, of Dubuque, Madonna and Dan Gibbs, of Holy Cross, Robert and Gladys Elgin, of Bankston, Donald and Mae Elgin, of Worthington, Willis and Dot Elgin, of Delhi, and Marvin Elgin, of Bankston.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Eugene Kramer and Roger Kramer; a sister, Lois "Loie" Kramer; his mother and father-in-law, Nick and Stella (Hess) Elgin; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Dan Kruse, Larry Davis, Bill Deutmeyer, Theresa Elgin, Grace Davis, Dianne Ehrlich and James Elgin; two nephews, Kerry Kruse and James Davis; and one niece, Colleen Drees.

A Memorial Fund has been established in memory of Ralph H. Kramer.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

A special thank-you to Dr. Hermann and Staff and the staff of Hospice of Dubuque for the gracious care given to Ralph.