Kramer, Bernard Matthew Jr. 1936-2015

KRAMER, OCKEN, BOOGE, SPURLIN, COLLINS, SCHLABAUGH, REIS, WIRGES

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 8/7/2016 at 14:06:18

BEN M. KRAMER JR.

Ben M. Kramer Jr. - age 79, of Pocahontas, passed away Monday, July 20, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving wife and children, Russ, Randy and Julie.

Bernard Matthew Kramer Jr. was born June 24, 1936, in Carroll, Iowa. He was the son of Bernard and Marie (Ocken) Kramer. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Pocahontas. On July 9, 1960, Ben married Joann Booge in Palmer. The couple lived in Fort Dodge and Manson before settling in Pocahontas in 1972. Ben worked at New Idea in Fort Dodge and at Iowa Industrial Hydraulics in Pocahontas, where he retired after 30 years. Upon retirement, he worked at Farm and Home for several years. Joann passed away in 1992.

On May 11, 1996, Ben married Frances (Spurlin) Collins. The couple settled in Pocahontas.

Ben was a member of the Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed being with his family and loved attending his grandchildren's activities in Dallas Center-Grimes and Williamsburg. He also enjoyed mowing lawns and doing snow removal for friends and neighbors. He especially loved making small bets with his grandchildren for fun.

Survivors include his wife, Fran of Pocahontas; children, Russell (Beth) Kramer of Grimes, Randy Kramer of Des Moines and Julie (Dave) Schlabaugh of Williamsburg; 7 grandchildren: Jared, Lindsay, Andrew, Zach, Carly, Brooke and Gabe; sisters: Ruth Reis of Pocahontas and Linda (Dick) Wirges of Omaha, NE; brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Kramer of Alta, Robert (Marion) Kramer of Storm Lake, Gerald Kramer and John (Sandi) Kramer all of Pocahontas and Mike (Pauline) Kramer of Cherokee. Ben is also survived by Kam & Amy Collins and their two children Katelyn and Emma of Altoona. Ben was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joann and brothers, Eugene, Vernis, Loren and Leon Kramer; brother-in-law, Leonard Reis and sister-in-law, Gladys Kramer.