The Rev. Herman W. Kramer was born January 2, 1936, in Kitchener, Ontario, the youngest of nine children of Rev. Clarence A. and Frieda (Lucht) Kramer. He and his twin Helen were baptized by their father on February 9, 1936, at First St. Paul parsonage in Wellesley, Ontario. In November 1948, his parents and the three youngest children moved to Hillpoint, Wisconsin, where Pastor was confirmed by his father at St. Paul Lutheran in 1949.

   Following graduation from Reedsburg High School in Wisconsin in 1953, Pastor began his ministerial training at Concordia College in Milwaukee. He graduated in 1956 and enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.  His vicarage year, 1959-1960, was spent at Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in 1961 and was placed at the dual parish of St. John Bismarck and St. Paul Ironton, Missouri.

   Pastor Kramer was ordained into the Holy Ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and installed at St. Paul Ironton on July 16, 1961, by his father, his brother Rev. Eugene Kramer, and Rev. Arthur Schauer, the father of Rev. John Schauer, today’s preacher. In 1963 Pastor met Judith Mueller, the daughter of Rev. Walter and Olga Mueller, who arrived in the Iron Mountain Circuit to teach school at Zion Lutheran in Pevely.

   In January 1965, Pastor accepted the call to the mission congregation of Immanuel in Fairfield, Iowa. On August 15, 1965, he was married to Judy at St. John in Storm Lake, Iowa. Presiding over the wedding were Pastor and Judy’s fathers, as well as Judy’s grandfather, Rev. Dr. Ottomar Krueger. Sons Mark Walter Ottomar (’67) and John Andrew David (‘69) were born in Fairfield. In January 1969, Pastor accepted the call to Faith Lutheran in Germantown, Wisconsin.

   Pastor Kramer was then called to Emmanuel Lutheran in Lake View, Iowa, and was installed February 1, 1970. During his 32 years in Iowa West, he served the District in several capacities. He also served as Sac City Circuit Counselor from the Circuit’s inception in 1976 until his retirement in 2002. Pastor served every congregation in the Circuit but one. He also served Arcadia. He was elected to several terms as Iowa District West Pastoral Advisor for the Lutheran Laymen’s League, was chairman of the Pastoral Conferences, and served on many committees. He was also Dean of Family Retreat and was a counselor for Cub Weeks at Camp Okoboji for many years.

   After moving to Lake View, the Kramers were blessed with three additional children: Paul Daniel James (’70), Sarah Anne (’75) and Rachel Elizabeth (’82). Emmanuel celebrated Pastor’s 25th in the ministry September 14, 1986; his 40th in the ministry July 30, 2001; and his 45th in the ministry in 2006.

   Pastor Kramer retired from Emmanuel on June 30, 2002, but continued to joyfully serve St. Peter’s in rural Sac City as vacancy pastor. He celebrated his 50th in the ministry in 2011. Pastor and Judy have lived in their retirement home in Lake View since 2002, where he enjoyed touring his garden, recycling, puzzling, his daily crossword, circling the lake, bike riding, socializing, and frequent visits from his children and grandchildren. Pastor was blessed with and baptized each of his 13 grandchildren.

   Pastor was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Clarence and Frieda Kramer; his brothers and sisters-in-law Elmer and wife Shirley, Leonard  and wife Helen, Robert, Andrew, Walter, Eugene and wife Joann; his parents-in-law Rev. Walter and Olga Mueller; his brothers-in-law Gordon Clifford, Rev. Kenneth Henschel, David Mueller and John Mueller; and his nephews Cameron Clifford and Paul Kramer.

   Pastor Kramer is survived by Judy, his wife of 49 years; son Mark and wife Cathy of Des Moines and their children Daniel, Andrew and Abigail; son John and wife Patty of Ames and their children Cameron, Cassandra and Audrey; son Paul and wife Jessica of Granger and their children Sophie and Samantha; daughter Sarah and husband Jassen Johnson of St. Louis, Missouri and their children Hartman, Sloane and Windsor; and daughter Rachel and boyfriend Kevin Zehnder of Lake View and her children Alexander and Emmett Hemer; sisters, Lois Clifford of Port Colborne, Ontario and twin Helen Henschel of Harlan; sisters-in-law, June Kramer of Burford, Ontario, Jane Kramer of Southampton, Ontario and Connie Kramer of Waterloo, Iowa; and 20 Kramer nieces and nephews and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Pastor is also survived by Judy’s family:  sister Susan and Robert Thomson of Pilot Knob, MO; sister Miriam and Rev. Thomas Krause of Overland Park, KS; brother James and Tanya Mueller of Scottsdale, AZ; and brother Daniel and Marcia Mueller of Grimes; as well as 15 nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

   Memorials are suggested for Camp Okoboji, 1531 Edgewood Drive;
Emmanuel Lutheran, 115 2nd Street, Lake View, IA 51450;
St. Peter's Lutheran, c/o 222 Harrison Street, Lake View, IA 51450

  BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHO DIE IN THE LORD