Kramer, Charles Thomas 1929-2017

KRAMER, MILLER, GRAFF

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/8/2017 at 08:11:34

LeMars Sentinel (online)
Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Our much-loved father, grandfather, and friend, Charles Kramer, 88, of Willard, Missouri, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, after living with Parkinson’s Disease for many years.

Charles Thomas Kramer was born on April 13, 1929 to Louis and Mabel (Miller) Kramer in Le Mars. He graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1947.

Charles was drafted into the Marines and served two years during the Korean War where he was stationed in Hawaii making a trip to Korea to retrieve wounded soldiers. Most notably, during his tour of duty he was witness to atomic bomb testing in Nevada.

On June 29, 1955, he was united in marriage to Lillian Elsie Graff at St. Paul’s Evangelical United Brethren Church in Jamestown, North Dakota. They raised their seven children in Le Mars.

Charles was a contractor his entire life: first working at Kramer Construction alongside his own father and brother in Le Mars, and later with his sons, Bob, Jim and Rich Kramer where he retired from Rich Kramer Construction, Springfield, Missouri in 2005.

Had it not been for Parkinson’s he would probably have never retired.

As a youngster, Charles enjoyed building model airplanes. He had so many hanging from his bedroom ceiling his father was afraid to enter for fear of disturbing them. He also was an avid woodworker, passing both of these passions on to his sons. Charles also enjoyed trains. As an adult he acquired his own miniature engine and cars that his grandchildren could actually ride on. Many Saturdays were spent riding on grandpa’s train.

Charles’ tough Marine exterior hid his loving heart for his wife, children and grandchildren, always meeting their needs. He had a quiet faith about him, always doing for others who were less fortunate.

Charles was a member of New Life Baptist Church of Willard, Missouri and a former member of First Baptist Church of Le Mars.

Left to celebrate Charles’ life are his sons, Dean Kramer of Willard, Missouri; Robert (Sheila) Kramer, Willard, Missouri and children David, Sarah, Daniel, and Michaela; James (Dawn) Kramer of Willard, Missouri and children Roxana, Rochelle, and Roslyn; Richard (Agnieszka) Kramer of Rogersville, Missouri and children Nick (Nickie), Michael, Ayron (Carlos), Michael (Annie), and Mark; and daughters, Joan (Tom) Loew, Oelwein, and children Jake and Jenna; and Marie (Dean) Plueger of Suwanee, Georgia and children Arabella and Eliana; six great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a sister, Marjorie Kramer of Le Mars.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Lillian on Easter of 2017, his parents; his daughter, Ann; his daughter-in-law, Debra Kramer; his brother and his wife, Forrest and Joyce Kramer; his brother-in-law and his wife Rev. David and Laura Graff; and his sister-in-law and her husband, Helen and Robert Crites.

Willard, Missouri visitation will be held at New Life Baptist Church in Willard from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Aug 10, with a service at 6 p.m.

Le Mars visitation services will be from 9-10:30 a.m., Saturday Aug. 12, at First Baptist Church in Le Mars. The funeral service, with military honors, will be at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.

Arrangements under the direction of Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove, Missouri.

Memorials may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, New Life Baptist Church, Willard or First Baptist Church, Le Mars.