James J. “Jim” Kramer, 94, of Melrose, passed away peacefully Jan. 5, 2024, at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital in Melrose.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 9, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with the Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Military honors will be by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard. Inurnment will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls at a later date. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. May 9 at the funeral home.
James John Kramer was born Oct. 13, 1929, in Melrose, Minnesota, to Henry and Laura (Schiltz) Kramer. Jim graduated from Melrose High school where he was a proud member of the band and Boy Scouts. He served in the U.S. Army for 24 years and was able to be stationed all over the world as part of the Army Security Agency. Just a few of his duty assignments included Okinawa, Japan; Tehran, Iran; Ankara, Turkey; and Orleans, France. He was a combat veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. After retiring from the Army, he moved back to his home town of Melrose and worked for Jennie-O.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, and a life member of Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 and Melrose American Legion Post 101. Jim’s interests included traveling the United States, fishing and woodworking. His favorite pastime was ham radio. He was awarded many certificates for making radio contacts with other ham radio operators around the globe. His many jokes and his great sense of humor will be missed by all.
Survivors include his children, Terrance (Connie) Kramer of St. Augustine, Florida, Tammy (Glen) Lane of Castle Hayne, North Carolina, and Tania (Mark) Snyder of Spring Lake, North Carolina; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother Micky (Carol) Kramer of Melrose; sister-in-law Peggy Kramer; and special companion Erma Moorman.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother Roy Kramer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Funeral arrangements were made by Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services in Melrose.
