Raymond Kramer

Raymond J, Kramer, age 89 of York, NE died Monday, March 2, 2009 at York. He was born August 19, 1919 to August and Carrie (Ottele) Kramer in rural Stuart, NE. He attended a one-room country school. In his late teens, he operated his father’s custom threshing machine, which served farmers in the Stuart-Atkinson area.

Soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ray was drafted into the US Army. He spent most of the war in the Pacific Theater where he drove a service truck and worked in a mechanics shop.

On February 11, 1947, he married Mary Claire O’Connor. To this union, seven children were born. During early years, the family lived on a farm near Burbank, SD, but later returned to Nebraska where they lived in Hoskins, Stuart, and finally in York. Ray worked as a mechanic. After he retired, he built a shop near their home, and for about 15 years, he repaired lawn mowers and small motors. Mary died in 1986. In 1988, Ray married Marie (Dobrovolny) Krysl. Ray was a member of the Knights of Columbus and also of the American Legion, Bolton Post #19.

He is survived by his wife, Marie of York; seven children: Mary Ann Kramer of Lincoln, NE, Rose Dickes (Randy) of York, Joseph (Wanda) Kramer of Norfolk, NE, Edward Kramer of York, Patrick Kramer of Lincoln, Donna Kramer of Hastings, and Jerry Kramer of Fort Collins, CO. His six grandchildren are Kevin Dickes, Amy Moore, Michelle Frederick, Dillon Kramer and Allen and Auston Kliewer. He has nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his brothers, Lavern (Darlene) Kramer of Omaha, NE, Ronald Kramer of Stuart, NE, and his sisters Agnes Jardee and Irene Jardee of Omaha, Doris Hardt of Lincoln, Dorline Bozak of Phoenix, AZ, and Raedean Kramer of Glendale, KY. Ray was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary, his brothers, Eugene and Mainard, and his sisters Evelyn and Rosemary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Catholic church in York with Father Mark Tasler officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, York, NE. A rosary will be said at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, evening at Metz Mortuary, York, NE. Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m until 9 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary with the family remaining following the Rosary, to visit with friends and neighbors. Memorials may be directed to the American Legion, Bolton Post #19 Honor Guard.