Obituary for David L. Kramer
David Lee Kramer
“The Viking”
November 11, 1938 - April 19, 2022
David was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Lynne Yvonne Kramer (Wordell).
David was born in Chippewa Falls, WI to Robert Lincoln and Anne Marie Kramer on Veterans Day in a blackout blizzard. The 3rd of 6 children, he grew up on a working farm where chores were a big part of the daily routine not including school. David graduated as Valedictorian from Chippewa High in 1956, in a class of 2.
After High School he joined the Army where he was stationed as a Tanker guarding the German/Czech Border.
During this time, he traveled extensively throughout Europe. In 1962, after David was honorably discharged from the Army, he went on to UW-Madison and joined The Lutheran Student Center. It was there that he competed against a 1000 other students to go on a Taize Trek through The Lutheran World Federation to Helsinki, Finland in their quest for World Peace. He and two others were actually selected to be apart of this amazing experience.
In July of 1963, he was in NYC on day 2 of an important conference when he heard that Malcolm X was speaking in Harlem. He felt compelled to be there to see what this incredible man had to say and so he went.
David often said that this was one of the most profound moments of his life besides meeting his wife, of course.
Shortly after he returned from abroad, he went back to his work at The Lutheran Student Center, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Lynne Wordell. David proposed on their second date and eventually, they were married on March 14, 1964. Together they had 2 children and played “The Promotion Transfer Game” while he worked for Dun & Bradstreet. First in Milwaukee then on to Green Bay, WI…Rockford, IL…Des Moines, IA…finally settling for 9 years in Bloomingdale, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
In 1982, David decided to switch careers and moved his family back to Whitefish Bay, WI, where he became an active member of North Shore Presbyterian Church, for over 40 years, as an Elder, a Befriender and a member of The Chancel Choir.
He was also a passionate member of The American Legion where, over the years, he helped to raise thousands upon thousands of dollars for our disabled veterans, handing out poppy’s on all the major holidays, come rain or shine.
In 1988, David became a realtor/broker for RE/MAX until his early retirement, due to his 20 year ongoing heart related health issues and then to take care of his wife during her painful 10 year battle with Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma.
He was her champion…filled with selflessness, compassion and an endless amount of love.
In 2019, after his beloved Lynne passed away, he moved in with his daughter, Annie and his grandson, Bode, where he would remain until his death.
This new journey breathed new life into him and ultimately, gave us more time than we ever could have thought possible or imagined…
And even as his health started to decline, his twinkle, infectious laughter and optimistic Warrior Stamina was ever present…right up until his very last moments on this earth.
In his words…
“Every Day Is A Gift”
And it truly was.
David was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. We were incredibly blessed by his mere presence, his gentle spirit… You were remarkable…one of a kind and we will miss you so much.
Rest peacefully…
We love you…always and forever.
More…Most.
David is survived by his son Jon Kramer, his daughter Annie Kramer, his daughter in law Birgitta Wallroth Kramer, his grandchildren: Bode Janusiewicz, Tilda Kramer, Viggo Kramer, best friends: Don and Linda Strike, Dotty Mayer, Melanie Maddux and Sean DeBoth, cousins Al Swientek and Tom Swientek and is further survived by his brothers & sisters: Gerald & Marion Kramer, Earl Kramer & Mary Sommermeyer, Evelyn Yungerberg, Barbara Kramer & Marty Erickson, Carol Kramer, 12 nieces and nephews, many cousins…a staggering amount of close personal friends and his grandpuppies Liam The Great and his Regal Beagle, Ms. Jagger Ray.
A memorial service will be held Saturday May 28th, 2022 12pm at:
North Shore Presbyterian Church
4048 N Bartlett Ave
Shorewood, WI 53211
A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the service at our home in Glendale first, with a Scandinavian Smorgasbord and finally, a Traditional Viking Burial at sunset.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Fund Donations, to the family, are appreciated.
https://gofund.me/4b16ebd6
“The Viking”
November 11, 1938 - April 19, 2022
David was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Lynne Yvonne Kramer (Wordell).
David was born in Chippewa Falls, WI to Robert Lincoln and Anne Marie Kramer on Veterans Day in a blackout blizzard. The 3rd of 6 children, he grew up on a working farm where chores were a big part of the daily routine not including school. David graduated as Valedictorian from Chippewa High in 1956, in a class of 2.
After High School he joined the Army where he was stationed as a Tanker guarding the German/Czech Border.
During this time, he traveled extensively throughout Europe. In 1962, after David was honorably discharged from the Army, he went on to UW-Madison and joined The Lutheran Student Center. It was there that he competed against a 1000 other students to go on a Taize Trek through The Lutheran World Federation to Helsinki, Finland in their quest for World Peace. He and two others were actually selected to be apart of this amazing experience.
In July of 1963, he was in NYC on day 2 of an important conference when he heard that Malcolm X was speaking in Harlem. He felt compelled to be there to see what this incredible man had to say and so he went.
David often said that this was one of the most profound moments of his life besides meeting his wife, of course.
Shortly after he returned from abroad, he went back to his work at The Lutheran Student Center, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Lynne Wordell. David proposed on their second date and eventually, they were married on March 14, 1964. Together they had 2 children and played “The Promotion Transfer Game” while he worked for Dun & Bradstreet. First in Milwaukee then on to Green Bay, WI…Rockford, IL…Des Moines, IA…finally settling for 9 years in Bloomingdale, IL, a suburb of Chicago.
In 1982, David decided to switch careers and moved his family back to Whitefish Bay, WI, where he became an active member of North Shore Presbyterian Church, for over 40 years, as an Elder, a Befriender and a member of The Chancel Choir.
He was also a passionate member of The American Legion where, over the years, he helped to raise thousands upon thousands of dollars for our disabled veterans, handing out poppy’s on all the major holidays, come rain or shine.
In 1988, David became a realtor/broker for RE/MAX until his early retirement, due to his 20 year ongoing heart related health issues and then to take care of his wife during her painful 10 year battle with Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma.
He was her champion…filled with selflessness, compassion and an endless amount of love.
In 2019, after his beloved Lynne passed away, he moved in with his daughter, Annie and his grandson, Bode, where he would remain until his death.
This new journey breathed new life into him and ultimately, gave us more time than we ever could have thought possible or imagined…
And even as his health started to decline, his twinkle, infectious laughter and optimistic Warrior Stamina was ever present…right up until his very last moments on this earth.
In his words…
“Every Day Is A Gift”
And it truly was.
David was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. We were incredibly blessed by his mere presence, his gentle spirit… You were remarkable…one of a kind and we will miss you so much.
Rest peacefully…
We love you…always and forever.
More…Most.
David is survived by his son Jon Kramer, his daughter Annie Kramer, his daughter in law Birgitta Wallroth Kramer, his grandchildren: Bode Janusiewicz, Tilda Kramer, Viggo Kramer, best friends: Don and Linda Strike, Dotty Mayer, Melanie Maddux and Sean DeBoth, cousins Al Swientek and Tom Swientek and is further survived by his brothers & sisters: Gerald & Marion Kramer, Earl Kramer & Mary Sommermeyer, Evelyn Yungerberg, Barbara Kramer & Marty Erickson, Carol Kramer, 12 nieces and nephews, many cousins…a staggering amount of close personal friends and his grandpuppies Liam The Great and his Regal Beagle, Ms. Jagger Ray.
A memorial service will be held Saturday May 28th, 2022 12pm at:
North Shore Presbyterian Church
4048 N Bartlett Ave
Shorewood, WI 53211
A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the service at our home in Glendale first, with a Scandinavian Smorgasbord and finally, a Traditional Viking Burial at sunset.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Fund Donations, to the family, are appreciated.
https://gofund.me/4b16ebd6