Pastor John A. Kramer, age 86, of Cambridge died September 23, 2009 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 26th at Lake Sarah Baptist Church in Slayton, Minnesota. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday, September 25th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel and also one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Interment will be in Lake Sarah Baptist Cemetery.
John A. Kramer was born in Springfield, Ohio November 3, 1922 to Clarence and Stella Kramer. He served in the Infantry in WWII. Upon his return he earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Bethel College and Seminary, St. Paul, MN in 1952. John and Annabelle met at Bethel and were married June 5, 1948 at Bethany Baptist church, Saint Paul, MN. They were privileged to serve churches in Lake Norden, SD; Maynard, MN; Oakland, NE (where he helped start a new church in West Point); Forest Lake, MN; rural Slayton, MN (where he initiated the ministry at Valhalla Campground) and Stacy, MN. He finished his ministry, speaking at Grandview Christian Home.
Dad loved the outdoors, gardening, woodworking and most of all visiting with friends and family. His faith was the primary focus of his life. Serving in small rural churches much of his ministry, he welcomed the variety of tasks that brought: speaking, writing articles for the local paper, printing the bulletin, mowing the lawn, serving in whatever ways were needed. But most of all he loved visiting with the people of the church. His life and love for Jesus were a great example to us all.
Survived by Annabelle, loving wife of 61 years; children: Dawnelle (Mark) McCloskey, Sherill (Dale) Peterson, Beth (Allen) Wold, Pamela (Michael) Horazdovsky, John D (Rebecca) Kramer, Carol Lee (Gary) Compton; 17 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Preceded in death by his sister Carolyn Clauss.
The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at GracePointe Crossing, Cambridge, MN for their special care and love for dad.
Linda Clauss May says
To my Aunt Annabelle and my cousins and their families.
I wish I could be with you at this time.. Let this be a celebration of life for John.. He was a special Uncle.. I know my Mother was proud of her brother.. I remember the good times of my childhood when my mother and father would either travel to Minnesota , or we would all meet at grandma and grandpa’s house in Springfield Ohio..
I also remember my most recent visit to Minnesota for Beth’s son Jared’s Wedding..
My prayers are with you..
Love
Linda Clauss May, Stephen , Daryl and Denise May