CRAMER, Leonard Jelske 1916-2009

CRAMER, SCHMIDT, ARMSTRONG, KENT

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 5/31/2012 at 13:52:49

Leonard Jelske Cramer – May 25, 1916 – October 15, 2009

Leonard Jelske Cramer, 93, of Clarion passed away Thursday, October 15, 2009 at Careage of Clarion.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 20 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Clarion with Pastor Don Morrison officiating. Burial was held at Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Military graveside services are under the direction of the Clarion American Legion and VFW.

Leonard Jelske Cramer was born May 25, 1916 on a farm near Riceville. His parents were Herman and Sophia (Schmidt) Cramer. He attended country school and graduated from Clarion High School in 1934. He moved to the Spencer area and after multiple jobs, began working for Spencer Machine Works.

At the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves as 2nd Class Machinist Mate and later received training as an optical specialist and was stationed in various places, including Washington D.C., Brooklyn, Alaska and Okinawa.

At the end of the War, Leonard returned to Clarion and soon began working for IPS (Iowa Public Service) and ran the power generating plant for the City of Clarion.

After several years of this, he started his own business, Clarion Manufacturing Company, which he continued to run until the early 1960's when he started working for Bourns in Ames as an experimental machinist. In the late 1970's, he returned to Clarion and resumed operating the Clarion Manufacturing Company. He continued to enjoy his shop and helping people through the rest of his life.

Shortly before joining the Navy, he married Lucile Mae Armstrong of Clarion on March 14, 1942. On December 15, 1942 a son, David, was born. Leonard and Lucile enjoyed nearly 40 years of marriage before Lucile died in January 1982.

On July 20, 1984 Leonard married Mavis Kent from Guttenberg, Iowa. They were married for approximately 20 years.

Leonard was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarion. He also was active in the Boy Scouts, both locally and council-wide, earning a Silver Beaver Award in recognition of his many years of service.
Leonard was active in Blacksmith and Welders Association, both locally and statewide. He also was very proud of the Heartland Museum in Clarion and supported it strongly with time and donations.

Leonard is survived by a son, David; daughter-in-law, Marj Cramer; two grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Charles, a sister Delores, and his two wives.

Globe Gazette, October 18, 2009