Janice Kramer

Janice R. Kramer, 93, of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 9th at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Visitation for Janice will be held on Friday, January 11th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Abels Funeral & Cremation Service-Creps Chapel in Eldora. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 12th at 10:30 AM at the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church with Pastor Harrison Lippert officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Steamboat Rock Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Steamboat Rock Veteran’s Monument Fund.

Janice was born on July 2, 1925 at her parent’s home in Pleasant Valley Township. She was the daughter of Lynn & Tillie (Peters) Bausman. She was raised in the Cleves and Steamboat Rock area and graduated from the Steamboat Rock High School in the class of 1943. On July 12, 1945 she was united in marriage to Kenneth C. Kramer at her parent’s home near Steamboat Rock. Kenneth and Janice made their home in the Steamboat Rock area and welcomed three children into their family.

Janice began her career at the Ben Franklin Dime Store in Eldora; she then went to work at Hardin County Savings Bank. For a few years, Janice stayed at home with her young children. Janice then went to work as a bookkeeper for Potgeter Grain, Feed and Lumber Co. in Steamboat Rock. She then worked as the Chemical Division Manager at United Suppliers in Eldora. Janice was one of the first women to hold an executive position in the agriculture industry in the Midwest; an industry, at the time, dominated by men.  After a short retirement she took an advisory position at Van Diest Supply Co. in Webster City.

Janice was a long-time member of the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church where she served the church in a variety of roles. After her husband Kenneth passed away, she built a new home in Steamboat Rock and became actively involved in numerous community projects. They included: Steamboat Rock Veteran’s Monument, Historical Society, and the Visionary Group. The Visionary Group was responsible for the Washington Square Projects and the welcome signs. She enjoyed researching her genealogy; however, her true joy in life came from spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Janice is survived by her daughter Susan Clarkson of Ankeny; sons Jerry (Sue) Kramer of Eldora and Jim (Jane) Kramer of Steamboat Rock; 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Mick Kramer. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth Kramer; and sister Bonnie Phillips.