Richard Cramer
March 19, 1938 ~ March 7, 2015
Richard Cramer died at his home in Kindred, ND March 7, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Richard's life will be celebrated Thursday, March 12, at 2:00 PM at Kindred Lutheran Church. Visitation with family will begin at 5:00 PM Wednesday at Fredrikson-Boulger Funeral Chapel in Kindred followed by a time of prayer and reflection at 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume at 1:00 PM Thursday at Kindred Lutheran.
Richard was born March 19, 1938 in Cando, ND to the late Clarence and Lavina (Michels) Cramer. Growing up in a hard working family, he started a job as a rural electric lineman at Baker Electric Cooperative while still in high school. He was working for Baker when he met Clarice Hjelden from neighboring Minnewaukan. They were married on June 11, 1960 and remained united until death separated them.
After several years with Baker Electric in Cando and Rolla, ND, Richard went to work for Seattle City and Light for a year. Longing to return to rural North Dakota, he took a job with Cass County Electric in Kindred and moved his family there in 1967. He retired as a lineman in 1998. Not one to sit idle, he began mowing and caring for the lawn and athletic complexes at the Kindred School. He was still cutting the grass last fall while receiving aggressive chemotherapy treatments.
While hard work describes Richard, he was equally accomplished at playing, especially with the children in his life. He loved sports and never missed a contest if one of his children were competing. From peewee baseball to varsity college competition, if one of his children or grandchildren were playing, he was at the game.
Richard is survived by Clarice, his wife of nearly 55 years, five children, Kevin (Kris) Cramer, Bismarck, Gevaine Shields, Fargo, Ricky (Jodi) Cramer, Fargo, Randy (Lisa) Cramer Kindred, Jenalle Arens, Fargo, one sister Geraldine Fix, Bismarck and two brothers, Robert and Michael, both of Seattle, WA. He leaves 15 grandchildren Ian, Isaac, Rachel, Annie, Abel, Sara, Andrew, Alex, Brice, Stephanie, Laura, Scott, Gregory, Kayla, Patrick and six great grandchildren, Grace, Benjamin, Lyla, Harper and two on the way.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Kenneth Cramer, and four sisters Helen Holter, Sharon Radke, Kathryn Schmidt and baby Wanda Sue.
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Sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you cousin Clarice and all your family. God bless you all. Garry & Darlene.
We are saddened to learn of Rich’s death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family. We have such fond memories of our times together in Kindred. May you find peace knowing your family and friends are thinking of you. Love, Ken and Judy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. A heartbreaking time for your family, friends and the community. We have such fond memories of your awesome family ~ always there when anyone needed help; even having three young, active boys stay with your family back in the 1980’s!!
Prayers, HUGs and Blessings,
Jim and Rosie Clemenson
Chris, Ali and family
Erik, Leah and family
Justin
God Bless Kevin and Family! Sorry for your loss.
Ellen Clark
So sorry to hear of your loss, My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I will continue to pray for all.
Our prayers go out for the family.
Our prayers for the family.
Sorry for your loss, your family will be in our prayers
My condolences to the family in Richard’s passing.
My deepest sympathy to Kevin and family. My prayers are with you.
I wish I was able to be with you all at this time. I have many fond memories of Richard and my summers spent with you all. My prayers are with you. Love, Jimmy
Going to miss Richard around Kindred, so cool to see him at the games and on his lawn mowers. I’ll never forget how excited he was to go flying with me. RIP and God bless.
To Clarice & Family- Sorry to read that Richard passed away. Harvey Taylor
A giant of a man, as will be noted during this time of celebrating the life of Richard Cramer. Rich was always someone you could count on during all kinds of weather while being a dedicated lineman for Cass County Electric Cooperative. In addition to his commitment for serving the member owners of CCEC, he was a model family man and community servant to the city of Kindred and the school district. Rest in peace, as you will be remembered by all your fellow workers.
Michael D Gustafson
Retired CEO of Cass County Electric Cooperative
Love you Uncle and will truly miss you. God bless you and your beautiful, gentle soul!!
We’re sorry for your Loss,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My thoughts and Prayers go out to Clarice, and the Cramer Family with the passing of Richard.
It was a joy to work with Richard at the school for many years.
God Bless to you and the family.
Want to express my sincere sympathy to you and your familly in the loss of Richard. I lost Ernie 3 years ago so I
understand what you are feeling.
A person never forgets good friends who were also close neighbors (in Rolla) even when we go separate ways and lose contact. God Bless You All. Pat Strait
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Clarice and the whole Cramer family. It was an honor being neighbors with Rich and Clarice for almost 6 years while we made home in Kindred. Our children made many visits to their place while playing with their grandchildren. Lean on your Faith, Family, and Friends during this tough time but also celebrate his life at the same time. RIP, friend and neighbor.
The Lunde’s
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. So hard to loose a loved one. Curt and Annette Hofstad
We are in AZ and learned of Richard’s passing. We want to extend our sincere condolences to the Cramer family and to know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless!
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and sympathy to all of you.
Kevin, please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your wonderful Father.
We are so sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. I have fond memories of being with the two of you and your family in Kindred. My Dad thought so much of Rich even though there was a big age difference. You and Rich raised 5 incredible children. God give you strength and comfort at this difficult time. Audrey Erdmann
I’m so sorry for your loss. Rich was a kind and gentle man and will be missed by anyone that he came in contact with. My prayers go out to the family.
We are saddened to hear of Rich’s passing. We pray that that you feel God’s peace and presence during this difficult time. We know you have a strong family that will surround each other and that your strong faith will sustain you all. I will always fondly remember hearing Rich’s booming voice from the stands during our basketball games, it makes me smile when I think of it right now! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve & Carol