Melvin P. "Mel" Kramer, 86, of Allison, Iowa, formerly of Eldora, Iowa, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 04, 2013 at the Rehabilitation Center of Allison while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora with Pastor David Splett officiating. Lunch and fellowship will follow the service at the church in Eldora, and then graveside services will be held at 2:30 pm at the Allison Cemetery south of Allison, with coffee and fellowship to follow at St. James Lutheran Church in Allison. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 pm to 8 pm at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora. A memorial fund has been established to Cedar Valley Hospice.
Melvin Paul Kramer was born June 1, 1926 in Allison, Iowa, son of David and Anna (Dralle) Kramer. He graduated from Allison High School, then attended Wartburg College in Waverly. On October 20, 1946 he was united in marriage to June Beebe, and their joy lasted 55 years until June went to be with the Lord on February 6, 2002. To this union were born Jeff, Julie, Jill and Jennifer. By happy chance Mel was reacquainted with, and married, Marcy Brandt on November 28, 2003.
Mel served in the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II. After the war he worked for Harms Oil Company, and then drove a tank wagon for Butler County Farm Service Company in Allison for 10 years. He was a regional sales manager for Iowa Farm Supply Company for two years, and then became the general manager of Big 3 Farm Service Company in Fairfield. He was the general manager of Farm Bureau Service Company in Eldora for 32 years until retiring in 1991.
Mel served on the board of directors of the Iowa Fertilizer and Chemical Dealers Association for several years. He was a member of the Rotary, the American Legion, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora.
Mel enjoyed people watching, golfing, gardening, Dixieland Jazz, and spending the winter months in Arizona. He especially loved time with his family, and spent LOTS of time visiting with his many friends.
Mel is survived by his wife, Marcy; son, Jeff Kramer and his wife Nancy of Hampton; daughters, Julie Gowans and her husband Doug of Cedar Falls, Jill Ahnen and her husband Jon of Clive, and Jennifer Johnson and her husband Greg of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandchildren, Annie (Tyler) Koch, Alison Gowans and Jamie Gowans, Jake and Ben Ahnen, and Griffen and Tillie Johnson; great-grandchildren, Alex and Juliette Koch; brother Don and Jeanne Kramer; step-children, Marcy Lynn (Dave) Ubben, Kent (Melaine) Brandt, Stacy (Rod) Wangsness and Amy (Chuck) Illg; and step-grandchildren, Molly and Mitch Ubben, Maranda and Clayton Brandt, Nick and Cody Wangsness, and Brandt, Brady, Blake and Bailey Illg; and step-great-grandchildren, Brody Wagness and Kaden Wangsness. He was preceded in death by his first wife, June; and by his parents.