1934 – Violet Mae Kramer – 2017
Violet Kramer, the daughter of Peter M. and Selma Othelia (Ross) Onken, was born on May 12, 1934 on a farm west and north of Sibley, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm and attended country school through the eighth grade and then completed four years at the Sibley High School. Violet attended Trinity Reformed Church in Sibley and was confirmed there. She was very active in 4-H as she grew up. Violet was united in marriage to Kriene Bernard Kramer on November 1, 1952 in George, Iowa. After their marriage they lived in Washington D.C. while Kriene was stationed there during the Korean War and they had two sons while living there. In 1955 they moved to a farm near Rushmore, Minnesota, where four more children were born, two boys and two girls. In 1963 they moved to a farm near Little Rock, Iowa where they lived and had four more children, all girls. They attended the rural First Baptist Church of George, Iowa. The three oldest children graduated from Little Rock. In August of 1974 the family moved to Fulda, Minnesota where they continued to farm and all the rest of the children graduated from the Fulda High School. Violet worked very hard raising her 10 children. She also had a huge garden, which she canned and froze produce to feed her family. They became members of the First Presbyterian Church. She became involved in Bible study, the Presbyterian Women’s organization, where she also served as president. Violet taught Sunday school and was part of the women’s quilting group. She volunteered for the Fulda Food Shelf and served on the board. Violet made and gave away many quilts, at least one to every grandchild. She enjoyed all kinds of puzzles, loved to color, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Violet passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Sanford Medical Center in Worthington, Minnesota at the age of 83.
Survivors include her children: Glen (Trish) Kramer, Avoca, MN, Stanley (Beth) Kramer, Fulda, MN, Debra (Mark) Knorr, Fulda, MN, Sandra (Gary) Spaeth, Currie, MN, Kriene (Darla) Kramer, Adrian, MN, Peggy (Mark) Gehl, Fulda, MN, Faye (Clayton) Gehl, Fulda, MN, Teresa (Greg) Wede, Worthington, MN and Julie (Lee) Buchholz, Brewster, MN; 31 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Carol Jean Spiering, Mary Jo Meyers and Juli-Ann Maloney and one sister-in-law Mary Kramer. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kriene Bernard Kramer, son Kelvyn Kriene Kramer, granddaughter Kelsie Kramer, two great-grandsons: Elisha Kenyi Spaeth and James Buga Spaeth; sister Avis Eileen Van Briesen and two brothers: Dale Allen Onken and John Peter Onken.
Funeral services were held at the First Presbyterian Church Fulda, MN at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2017 with Pastor Greg Wede officiating. The organist was Tiffany Gehl. Special music provided by Katrina Philp. The pallbearers were Phil Kramer, Kody Kramer, Scott Knorr, William Spaeth, Will Gehl, Benjamin Gehl and Caleb Wede. Honorary pallbearers were her remaining grandchildren. Interment at the First Baptist Cemetery George, IA. The Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda assisted the family with arrangements. Send condolences online at www.totzkefuneralhome.com.
