Vincent A. Kramer, 86, of Epworth, Iowa, passed away, Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 12:15 P.M. at Manor Care Health Services in Dubuque, Iowa.
Friends and relatives of Vince may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 1:30 p.m. The Epworth Fire department will meet in a body at 7 P.M. and the Epworth American Legion Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., on Friday at the funeral home.
Services for Vince will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2017 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa, with Rev. Michael Schueller Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa with full military honors afforded by the Epworth American legion post #650.
He was born August 9, 1931 in Farley, Iowa, son of Fred and Josephine (Stelken) Kramer. He received his education in the Epworth schools. On July 23, 1960 he was united in marriage to Constance A. Radabough at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa. She preceded him in death on April 26, 1978. He was employed at the John Deere Dubuque Works for 31 years until his retirement in 1987.
He was an Army Veteran having served from 1953 to 1955. He was a member of the Epworth American Legion Post #650. He was also a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Epworth, Iowa. He served on the Epworth volunteer Fire Department for 24 years, during which time he served as Captain. Vince was the first recipient of the Annual Fire Fighter of the Year Award from the Epworth department.
He is survived by 6 children, Anne (Dick) Besler of Epworth, IA, Michael Kramer of Las Vegas, NV, Tim (Lori) Kramer of Dubuque, IA, Kathy (Paul) Boffeli of Eldridge, IA, Daniel (Angie) Kramer and Mark "Chuck" (Cindy) Kramer both of Epworth, IA; 10 grandchildren, Chris Besler, Matt and Kenzie Kramer, Anna, Drew and Grace Boffeli, Alex and Ashley Kramer, and Cody and Bella Gardner; one brother, James Kramer of Dubuque, IA; 4 sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Kramer of Epworth, IA, Sandra (Dennis) Foreman of Anchorage, AK, Peg (Jere) Johnson of Janesville, WI, and Tammi (Darwin) Allen of San Mateo, CA.
He is also preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Francis "Fran" (Ray) Schmitt, Mary (Orland) McDermott and Anita (James) McDermott; four brothers, Fred A. Kramer, Bernard (Bernice) Kramer, Ed (Dola) Kramer, and Herb (Irene) Kramer; his father and mother-in-law, Delos and Lois Dorweiler; and two sister-in-laws, Nancy Kramer and DeeAnn Soppe.
The family of Vince would like to thank the entire staff of Manor Care Health Services and Hospice of Dubuque for all the wonderful care given to him.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeicn.com