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Francis Kramer

francis kramer

December 12, 1935 ~ January 8, 2023

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Francis Leo Kramer age 87, of New Hampton, IA, died Sunday, January 8, 2023, at Linn Haven Rehab & Healthcare in New Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton, with Rev. Jim Goerend celebrating the Mass. Interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, New Hampton with Adam Elenz, Nicholas Elenz, Carlie Samec, Ryan Crooks, Kayla Crooks, and Dominic Samec serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Mason and Natalie Samec. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Thursday. Francis’ life began on December 12, 1935, when his parents, Leo and Ethel (Gaffney) welcomed their first child into the world at St. Joseph Hospital in New Hampton. He and his younger sister grew up on a farm about four miles northeast of New Hampton, where Francis developed a work ethic that remained with him for the rest of his life. He attended country school for two years before going to St. Joseph Community School, where he graduated in 1950. He then attended New Hampton High School, where he was a member of the Class of 1954. It was at St. Joe’s and New Hampton High where Francis played and developed a love for basketball and he excelled at the sport. After graduating from high school, Francis enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country for two years. He headed to Arkansas for basic training and then was sent to Germany, where he worked on trucks. While home on leave, Francis met a beautiful young woman named Mary Dunn at Holly’s Cafe, and the connection was almost immediate. They dated, fell in love and were married on June 20, 1959, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Hampton.After receiving his honorable discharge, Francis worked at Brown’s Feed for several years before accepting a job at what is now Five Star Co-op in 1960. He worked first in the co-op’s feed division before moving over to LP for Five Star, and for more than 40 years, he was a dependable, hard-working employee. Yet, the most important mark Francis made in his life was on his family. He was a wonderful husband to Mary for more than 63 years, and they raised four children — Bob, Nancy, Sherry, and Patti — together. The Kramer kids had a dad who was always there for them and taught them values like working hard and caring for others. Francis loved being outdoors, and everyone who knew him knew that his favorite activity was riding his bike, which he did up until the age of 85. He loved to go dancing with Mary, and his kids still have fond memories of dancing with Dad at home. He was an outdoorsman in that he loved mowing lawns and doing snow removal. Francis just wasn’t the kind of guy to sit around inside the house! He was a grandfather to Adam, Nicholas, Carlie, Ryan, and Kayla before he officially received the title of great-grandfather to Mason and Natalie Samec. Francis loved going to his grandchildren’s sporting and school events, and his grandchildren knew they had the best grandpa, one who thought the world of them and was known to spoil them a time or two or three, too!Francis, simply put, was a good man. He loved his family and friends and always put them first. We’ll miss him dearly, but as one granddaughter put it, he’s enjoying his Honey Nut Cheerios and ice cream in Heaven today. He is survived by his wife, Mary of New Hampton; his son, Robert, of New Hampton; his daughters, Nancy (Tony) Elenz of Eagan, Minnesota, Sherry (Richard) Crooks of Ionia, and Patti (Gregg Moyer) Kramer of West Des Moines; his five grandchildren, Adam Elenz of Eagan, Minnesota; Nicholas Elenz of Rosemount, Minnesota, Carlie (Dominic) Samec of New Hampton and Ryan and Kayla Crooks, both of Ionia; his two great-grandchildren, Mason and Natalie Samec of New Hampton; and his sister, Janice Kramer of Rochester, Minnesota. Francis was preceded in death by his parents and a sister in infancy.

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  23. Francis gave it his all. He was a giver, a server in everything he did. There can be no greater gift to the world than to leave it better than you found it. His family should be proud. Blessings to them all.

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  25. Sympathy to Mary & family. Duane always enjoyed visiting with Francis as he delivered our fuel for many years

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  46. So sad, sorry for the loss of Francis. I’ve missed all the conversations we’ve had over the years when he rode his bike by my house.

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  59. You have my deepest condolences. You are in my thoughts as you grieve the loss of Francis. Sending hugs your way.

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  86. Mary, and family: You have my deepest
    sympathy. I can see Francis out riding his
    bicycle and thinking he is really doing
    great! I think that was just yesterday.?
    God bless him!

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  90. I remember how proud Francis was when Mason was baptized at St. Joe’s Church. He enjoyed holding Mason and feeding him his bottle.

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  97. Francis was my godfather. I always enjoyed visiting with him when I was in New Hampton and would see him on one of his daily bike rides. Such a nice man!

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  98. When I worked at the Co-op I asked Frank to do a lot of different things for the fertilizer department in the busy spring which was not anything similar to working in the LP GAS department. Whether it be mixing liquid fertilizer, hauling ammonia, or running a sprayer, Frank would do it all and not complain . You have our sympathy. May he rest in peace. Glen and Betty Roethler

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  100. Mary and family so sorry to hear about Francis , I m going miss him not seeing him on his bike. You have my sympathy.

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  108. I have some wonderful memories of spending time at the Kramer home and our family reunions at the park. Francis was a great softball player!
    I am So sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Linda (Schmidt) Lane

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  110. Our sympathy. May God accept Francis into his Kingdom. God bless and comfort the family.

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  116. My name is Mary Jo (Meyer) Love from Colorado Springs, Colo.
    I was raised 2 miles S. of New Hampton on the Meyer farm. Tom, Mila, and Ed Meyer.
    Oh this is hard to write. 😢 I have so many fond memories of Francis. He used to bring our feed out to our farm from Co-Op in NH, and taught me how to run the truck and operate the auger inside the truck. I always helped him dump the truck until I left home in 1974. That’s the year I graduated from NHHS.
    He used to get me to laughing where I couldn’t stop. My Dad, Tom, and Uncle Ed, thought so very highly of him.
    Francis was a very hard working, dependable man. He’s with his Heavenly Father in Heaven now, and that’s exactly where he belongs. I look forward to joining him one day!
    My Brother, Tom Meyer Jr. also sends his deepest condolences.
    Please know we are praying for Mary and the family. God bless you all and give you peace and comfort during this life altering time. Richard & Mary Jo

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  117. Mary and Family, We are so sorry to hear about Francis. My mother said so many good things about him.
    Gail and Joyce Ives

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