Bertha "Bert" Kramer

Larchwood, IA Bertha T. Kramer, age 99 of Larchwood, IA died Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Fellowship Village Nursing Home in Inwood, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 25th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Fr. Jeff Schleisman as celebrant. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood. Visitation will be Friday, June 24th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will also be a Vigil service at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the church. Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood is in charge of arrangements. Bertha Theresa Kramer was born October 18, 1911 at the family farm southeast of Larchwood, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Mary (Schreurs) Schettler. She grew up helping her parents on the farm and attended St. Marys School in Larchwood. As a young woman she worked at Williams General Store in Larchwood. On June 18, 1934 Bert was united in marriage to Paul Kramer at St. Marys Church in Larchwood. Following their marriage they operated a caf in Hudson, SD for two years before returning to Larchwood to begin farming. Along with raising a family Bert maintained a vegetable garden and sewed clothing for her family. Through the years Bert was an active member of the Church of St. Mary. Bert and Paul enjoyed fishing, polka dancing and later in life, golfing. Bert also enjoyed crafts and making toys for her grandchildren. On May 16, 1996 Berts husband, Paul died after 61 years of marriage. Bert remained active with church activities, attending ball games, playing cards and bowling with her friends. In 2002 Bert entered the Fellowship Village Home in Inwood, IA, where she remained until this past Wednesday, when she died at the age of 99. She is survived by her five children, Robert and Carolyn Kramer of Larchwood, IA, Janice and William Harris of Omaha, NE, Diane and Ken Snyder and Ken and Cheryl Kramer all of Larchwood, IA and Dale and Rose Kramer of Brandon, SD; 24 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Emma Lucas of Larchwood, IA and Clara George of Rock Rapids, IA; one brother, Alvin Schettler of Larchwood, IA; a sister-in-law, Edna Schettler of Larchwood, IA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Kramer; son, Terry Kramer; three brothers, Leo, Francis and Martin; four sisters, Margaret DeSmett, Loretta Roman, Milda Anderson and Dalene Schettler.