Marie E. Kramer

The Mass of Christian burial for Marie E. Kramer, of rural Hewitt, will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 29, at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena with Father Matthew Crane as celebrant. Visitation will be held on Sunday at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 5:00 and Prayers at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Marie, age 95 (and a half!), passed away February 23, 2016 at the Central Todd County Care Center, Clarissa, MN. Marie was born August 23,1920, to George and Julia (Foley) Durham in Sturgis, Saskatchewan, Canada, where her family were early settlers. She graduated high school at the early age of 15. In 1939, she met Ray Kramer on a family visit to Minnesota and they were married the following spring, April 8,1940, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sturgis, Saskatchewan. The young couple settled near Ray's hometowns of Eden Valley and Watkins, MN, where they farmed and raised three children. In 1945, during WWII, she proudly became a naturalized U.S. citizen. In 1954 they moved to a farm in rural Hewitt, MN where Marie would reside the next 60 years. Ray and Marie welcomed three more children into their family in 1970. After pursuing an education in business administration, Marie became the Executive Director of Humphrey Manor, Wadena, MN, in 1972, where she spear-headed the building and renovation projects of Humphrey Manor East and the Commercial Apartments. She retired in 1987. Marie was an active member of St. Ann's Parish, Christian Mothers, Catholic Aid Society, R.S.V.P., Todd County Council on Aging and Relay for Life. Marie and Ray opened their home to Displaced Persons during the Cold War and became New Citizen Sponsors. They fostered many children. Marie was a volunteer tax preparer, a tutor, worked with SAFE, and was a political delegate. Marie's door was always open, her oven always on and her vehicle always in motion. She loved to garden, bake, can and read. Marie was a deal hunter and berry picker of great renown. As the family historian, Marie enjoyed keeping extended family ties strong with many letters and phone calls. She reveled in her Irish heritage. Marie frequently invited others to travel with her throughout the U.S. and Canada, visiting family and friends. She had a lead foot and a bigger heart. Marie was preceded in death by Ray, her husband of 59 years; mother Julia Durham; father George Durham; step-mother Flora Ganong Durham Earl; step-father Thomas Earl; brothers Marshall Durham and Michael Durham; sisters Regina Holaday, Agnes Propp and Reta Olson; step-brother Earl Ganong; step-sisters Alice Williams and Mabel Durham; brothers-in-law John Holaday, Fred Propp, Eric Olson, and Ken Williams; son Timothy Kramer; daughter Rose Johnson; six infant children and grand-daughter Mary Elizabeth Kramer. Marie is survived by her children George (Terri) Kramer of Hewitt, Diane Johnson of Brooklyn Park, Bernadette (Harold) DeBlieck of Osakis and Bruce (Pam) Johnson of Long Prairie; son-in-law Percy Johnson of Duluth; sisters-in law Frances Durham of Edmonton, Alberta, Loretta Ganong of Toronto, Ontario, and Marie Kramer of Sebeka; seventeen grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins (on both sides of the border) and a lifetime's worth of friends. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery, Wadena, MN.

Marie E. Kramer

August 23, 1920 - February 23, 2016