John R. Kramer, age 82, of Elkton, S.D. passed away, Saturday, August 12, 2017 while in his home under hospice care.
John Ronald was born on August 15, 1934, to Lester Frank and Ada Ella (Schaffer) Kramer. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church.
He attended elementary school at Sunnyside District 66 and graduated from Elkton High School in 1952.
John worked for Prather Motors, helped Hans Bauman on the farm and did line construction for Parkey Construction before entering the United States Army in 1956. John worked as a lineman while enlisted and was honorably discharged in 1958.
He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Joyce Baker, on September 3, 1959. To this union two sons were born, Ron and Kelly.
While residing in Minnesota, John farmed for a couple years near Northfield before being employed at L & M Farmstore in Faribault and Owatonna.
He and Joyce moved to back to Elkton, where John bought out Arnie Klosterman Trucking in 1965. In 1978 John started working for OtterTail Power Company, retiring in 1996 and then drove school bus.
John was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He served on the Trinity Lutheran council and was actively involved with church activities. He also served on the church cemetery board.
John also volunteered 40 years with the Elkton Volunteer Fire Department. He and Joyce were able to enjoy 16 ‘snowbird’ winters in Arizona.
John is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons, Ron (Marsha) Kramer, Elkton and Kelly (Patsy Strand) Kramer, North Platte, Neb.; grandson, Kiya Kramer, North Platte and his mother, Theresa; brother, Lester (Jerilyn) ‘Junior’ Kramer of Elkton; sister, Carolee Olson of Sioux Falls; nieces, nephews and other relatives.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Ada, and sister, Lorna, who died at the age of 4.
His funeral service was held Friday, August 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton, with burial in the church cemetery.
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