Elmer H. Kramer, age 86 of Elgin, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at MedCenter One in Bismarck.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am MT Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin with Rev. Dick Smith, officiating. Burial will be at 1:00pm CT Monday, February 6, 2012 in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan with full military honors.

Special music will be provided by Annette Roth.

ELMER HAROLD KRAMER was born August 13, 1925 at Elgin, ND to Fred J. and Christina (Wolf) Kramer. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Elgin. Elmer attended local school and Chillicothe Business College in Missouri.

He enlisted into the U.S. Army on March 30, 1946 and was honorably discharged as a Corporal on September 20, 1947. He returned to Elgin and began farming.
He was united in marriage to Winifred Kautz on June 9, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church, north of New Leipzig. They were married 58 years. Three children were born to his union, Keith, Jerry, and Kimberly.

Elmer worked for Federal Crop Insurance for many years as a sales agent and adjustor. He travel all over the United States, becoming familiar with different farming crops, such as sweet potatoes and cotton. He also sold insurance for Farmers Insurance Group and Northwest G. F. Mutual Insurance.

In addition to selling insurance he started farming in 1947 and continued until 1992. After retiring, he worked for Virgil Stern and Allen Sprenger during the planting and harvesting seasons. He loved farming and spending time at the "Ponderosa". Elmer enjoyed spending time outdoors, working in the garden and lawn, receiving many compliments. He always took great pride in everything he did.

He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served as a Deacon and Trustee for many years. He was a member of the George W. Snook American Legion Post in Elgin, the Germans from Russia, and a member of the Elgin Lions Club for 45 years and had perfect attendance for 18 years. Elmer took great joy in working with the Lions Club at Burgers in the Park Friday nights.
He especially loved his grandchildren, and spent as much time with them as he could.

Grateful for sharing his life include his wife, Winifred, Elgin; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Marie Kramer, Jerry and Jan Kramer, all of Bismarck; 1 daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Fern Moser, Dickinson; 7 grandchildren, Andrew (Laurie) Kramer, Ryan (Crystal) Kramer, Ashley Kramer, Bethany Kramer, Kelsey Kramer, Kristen Moser, and Robert Moser, 4 great grandchildren; Brannan, Ian, and Aeden Kramer, and Chloe Rose Bitz; 1 brother and 3 sisters-in-law, LeRoy and Sandy Kramer, Colorado, Sandra Kramer, Colorado, and Hilma Kramer, Elgin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Reuben, Milbert, and Leo Kramer, and 1 sister, Eileen in infancy.
Visitation will be on Saturday one hour prior to services at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin.