John Kramer

JOHN D. KRAMER

John D. Kramer, age 80, of Winona, MN, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, in the comfort of his home.

He was born on October 1, 1935, on a farm in Trempealeau, WI, to Thomas and Frances (Janikowski) Kramer.

John graduated from Winona Senior High and La Crosse Vocational School and still meets with some of the students from those days.

John honorably served his country for four years in the regular Air Force from 1953-1957 and also served for four years in the Air Reserves; he was honorably discharged in 1961.  John served overseas in Korea, Formosa and Okinawa with the 67th Fighter Squadron on the 18th Fighter Wing.

On April 23, 1960, John married Mary Jane Kulas at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.  He was very active in trap shooting – ATA, Leagues or just open shooting at the area gun clubs.  His wife, Mary Jane, would go to almost all of the shoots with him, until her health started failing.  John loved the years of hunting out West - Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, for ten years.  Mary Jane would go with him to the Dakota Hills Lodge and the Mule Deer Hunting Lodge in Wyoming.

He was a life member of DAV and ATA, and he was also a member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, American Legion, La Crosse Gun Club, Holman Rod and Gun Club, 18th Fighter Wing Association and Toy Farmer, Toy Truck and Construction Collectors.

John is survived by his brother, Thomas (Joann) Kramer, Dodge, WI; good friends, Bob and Mary Haney, Winona, MN; his extended family at St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlien, South Dakota, and the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; a very special friend, Mary Ann Holland; as well as other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, Hubert (Hub) Kramer, Elias Kramer, Richard (Pat) Kramer, and Conrad “Max” Kramer; sister, Rosella (Kramer) Wagner; and his mother’s dog, Buddie Bear.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 PM on Sunday, August 28, 2016, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.  The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Hargesheimer will officiate.

Following the Mass, the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona will provide military honors outside of the Basilica.

John will be laid to rest next to his wife, Mary Jane, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

Visitation will be held at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka on Sunday, August 28, 2016, from 12 Noon until the time of the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the following charities, which were favorites of John and Mary Jane, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38105 or St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlien, SD 57325-0100.

Online condolences or memories may be left for John’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com

Entrusted to our care – Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home.