KRAMER, Jim L. 1934-2009

KRAMER, HARMS, KEIZER, SMITH, NIEMYER

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 9/29/2009 at 20:46:51

Jim Kramer, age 75, of George, Iowa, died Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 23rd at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church of George with burial in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George.

Jim Lee Kramer was born April 23, 1934 on a farm east of George the son of George and Rosella (Harms) Kramer. He lived on this farm with his parents and also with his grandpa Theodore Kramer. Jim lived there from 1934 until 1936 when they moved to a farm north of Adrian, Minnesota. His family moved in 1945 to their home in George.

Jim graduated from George High School in May of 1952. Jim lived in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from business school (AIB) in May of 1953. Jim worked part-time in the cafeteria for Mutual of Omaha while he attended business school. After graduating from AIB he started working for Union Pacific Railroads. He worked for the railroad from August 10, 1953 until September 13, 1956 when he was drafted into the armed forces. Jim’s basic training was in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Jim served for two years in the Army overseas in Korea and upon his honorable discharge he returned to Omaha and started back with Union Pacific Railroads. When Jim was first in Omaha he didn’t have a car so he would hitch-hike on weekend back and forth from Omaha to George. When he bought his first car he always gave others a ride if they needed one.

On November 15, 1995, Jim took early retirement after being with Union Pacific for forty-two years and three months. He then moved back home to George to help care for his mother since she was in failing health.

Over the years Jim enjoyed taking several trips. He traveled internationally to China, Australia, New Zealand and also many domestic destinations. Jim loved the outdoors and would spend hours with his flowers and birds. He also enjoyed shopping for antiques. He was very knowledgeable about antiques, flowers and birds. This past Saturday, September 19, 2009, Jim died at the Rock Rapids Health Centre at the age of seventy-five.

Jim is survived by his siblings, Ted (Janice) Kramer of George, Iowa; Samantha (Henry) Niemyer of George, Iowa; Bonnie (Lynel) Vallier of Boulder, Colorado; and Jeff (Joyce) Kramer of George, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Rosella (Harms) Kramer; two sisters, Patricia Keizer and Judith Smith.

(Jurrens Funeral Homes obituary)