Roger Kramer
Roger Dean Kramer was born March 15, 1942, to Vern and Opal (Thomas) Kramer in Holyoke. He died Jan. 18, 2023, at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke.
Roger grew up southeast of Holyoke in the Pleasant Valley community. He attended elementary school at Fairview. He and his siblings rode horses to the country school. He liked to say that if he walked to school, it was uphill both directions.
Roger attended high school in Holyoke, graduating in 1960. He was actively involved in FFA during those years. He then went to college for one year at Colorado State University. He came back to work on the farm with his dad and brother Mickey. Roger enlisted in the Air Force in 1964.
He married Mary Beth Dubbert on May 8, 1965. They celebrated 57 years of marriage last year. He and Mary Beth lived in Colorado Springs before he was eventually transferred to Thailand. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1967. He and Mary Beth then returned to make their home in Holyoke, eventually having two daughters, Lisa and Kathi. He was actively involved during their childhoods with their various activities.
Roger worked on the family ranch/farm with his dad and Mickey, eventually adding brothers Garry, Randy and Byron to the operation. They formed Kramer Feedlot and ran a successful operation for many years. Roger loved to feed the cattle and work at the feedlot.
He and Mary Beth traveled with family and friends extensively over the years, both in the United States and to Canada, Jamaica, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, taking each of their three grandchildren on a senior trip. One of his favorite places to visit was Branson, Missouri. He always seemed to find the slot machines at various casinos along the way.
Roger served as a director on the Holyoke Co-op Board for many years, enjoying his time spent with fellow directors and patrons. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick Church. He was also a member of the American Legion since he returned from his military service. He proudly displayed the American flag at his home.
Roger loved to spend time with his family. There were many family gatherings with siblings and cousins, which involved playing cards. He greatly enjoyed the yearly Kramer family reunions and the pitch games. As his grandkids grew up, he attended many sporting events, cheerleading competitions and FFA activities. He really enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and will be greatly missed.
Roger is survived by his wife Mary Beth; two daughters Lisa and Tim Schilke of Lamar, Nebraska, and Kathi and Michael Stanley of Holyoke; three grandchildren Derek and Mykaela Schilke of Lamar, Nebraska, Meghan Mikesell of Fort Collins, and Kayla Schilke of Omaha, Nebraska; step- granddaughter Savannah Stanley of Lakewood; his first great-granddaughter, expected in February; brothers Garry and Tina Kramer, Randy and Karin Kramer, and Byron and Kim Kramer, all of Holyoke; sisters Joanne and Russ Wieland of Berthoud and Joyce and Ray Malleck of Imperial, Nebraska; sister-in-law Gwen Triplette of Holyoke; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mickey, sister-in-law Lynda Kramer, grandson Jared Schilke, and father- and mother-in-law August and Ruth Dubbert.
The rosary was recited Jan. 24 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Holyoke. Funeral services were scheduled for Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with interment at Holyoke Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Melissa Memorial Hospital Foundation or St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Baucke Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.