Obituary of Charles Kramer

Left to mourn his passing includes his loving wife of nearly 52 years, Mary and seven children: Susan (Lester) Felton, Monticello, Mark (Lisa) Kramer, Earlville, Mike "Smiley" (Cindy) Kramer, Dyersville, Charles A. (Brenda) Kramer, Manchester, Cathy (Greg) Wolfe, Dyersville, Linda (Tim) Lawson, Manchester, Scott (Melody) Kramer, Washington, Iowa, and daughter-in-law Kelli Kramer of Raytown, Missouri, 18 grandchildren, Cynthia and Christopher Kramer Angie (Nick) Creech and Amber (Bob) Carroll, Ashley, Allisan ,Matthew & Ryan Kramer, Craig, Curt and Amanda Kramer, Adam and Alex Kramer, Tyler, Justin and Nicole Wolfe, Devin and Zachary Lawson, and his first great-grandchild due in August. Also surviving are 6 sisters-in-law: Millie Kramer, Hopkinton, Irene Kramer, Dyersville, Lorraine Dunkel, Dyersville, Rosie Vorwald, Strawberry Point, Rita (Nick) Russ, Monticello, Alice (Tony) Russ, Hopkinton and one brother-in-law, Earl Tegeler, Dyersville. Charles was preceded in death by a son, Steven, on October 31, 2001, a granddaughter, Bethany Lawson on December 22, 1999, his parents, and 4 brothers, Clarence, Alphonse "Shorty", Alvin and Larry and 3 sisters, Gertrude Ries, Margaret Kramer and Rosemary Tegeler. Charles was born August 22, 1923 in Farley, Iowa, the son of Henry I. and Mary (Stelken) Kramer. On April 7, 1953, Charles married Mary Egloff at St. Francis Xavier Church, Dyersville, Iowa. He served in the Army during the Korean War. They farmed in the Delhi area until purchasing a farm north of Earlville in 1970. They retired from farming in 2003. They continued living on the farm until January 22, 2005 at which time they moved to their new home in Manchester. He was a member of St. John's Parish for over 51 years, the American Legion Post #160, Knights of Columbus Council #12695, Farm Bureau and Swiss Valley Farms. Charles enjoyed dairy farming, traveling with his wife to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico and also enjoyed a Caribbean Cruise for their 50th anniversary. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed sitting in the car playing hand held games and napping while his wife shopped. He will always be remembered by the grandchildren for the many whisker rubs he gave them, the hugs, the time at the farm and seeing him in attendance at all the school activities and ball games. After retiring he enjoyed communicating through e-mail with his family and friends. A special thank you to the staff at Mercy Medical Center, Oncology Unit - Dubuque, the Wendt Center at Finley Hospital, Dr. Christian Schultheis and Dr. James Baer.