Obit: Kramer, Vivian M. (1920 – 2020)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kramer, Stelzel, Messman, Fish, Krokstrom, Haack, Mueller

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 10 Jun 2020

Kramer, Vivian M. (22 FEB 1920 – 8 JUN 2020)

Vivian M. Kramer, age 100, of Abbotsford, entered into the arms of our Lord on Monday, June 8, 2020. Her passing was peaceful surrounded by the love of her family. Vivian lived life portraying gentleness and kindness to others.

Vivian was an educator and throughout her life had not only a fondness but a gift for teaching young children. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren benefitted for that beautiful gift and lovingly dubbed her Grandma Bibbi. The great-grandchildren knew every single visit, even in these last years, would be very special because Great-Grandma Bibbi would have a project or an activity just for them.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford. The Rev. Donald Bruce will preside. Family and friends are welcome from 12- 2 p.m. at the church. Interment will be held at Abbotsford Public Cemetery. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is entrusted with the arrangements.
 

Vivian was born February 22, 1920, in Dorchester. In her memoirs written for her family, she told about growing up on a farm and then later in the home behind her father’s general merchandise store in Chelsea. Vivian and her brother spent summer evenings playing ball with her father and winter days sledding. They learned to work in the store and attached cheese factory. Her early educational years were spent in one room rural school houses. It was there that Vivian found she enjoyed being an organizer of games for the other kids and even successfully directed a play with adults from the community. A teacher, in her later school career, suggested to Vivian that she would “make an excellent teacher.” She worked at the Dorchester Pea Canning Factory earning enough money to begin Normal School in Stevens Point in 1937.

Vivian taught at a number of rural schools in Abbotsford and Unity area. She was well known as an educator of young children. Vivian promoted education of the very young and established the first kindergarten in the Abbotsford Colby area. In 1983, Vivian received her Master’s Degree in Education in 1971. Vivian retired from teaching only to establish the first pre-school in the area to serve children ages 3-5. She was well loved by her tiny students and well respected by the parents. Vivian was an active member of the Wisconsin Retired Educator Association up until a couple years ago.

Vivian was married to the love of her life, Howard Kramer, on June 10, 1943. They had 62 wonderful years together. Their life together was truly one of cooperation. In addition to her teaching career, Vivian worked with her husband to help establish Kramer’s IGA, a very successful supermarket business in Abbotsford.

In addition to all these events, Vivian was an active volunteer in her church and served many years in the Girl Scouts and the American Legion Auxiliary. Never one to tire of helping others, in her 7th and 8th decade of life, she served as an adult educator in Page Forward for Hispanic students.

Vivian is survived by her children: Dennis Kramer(Beverly Stelzel)of Abbotsford and Cynthia Kramer of Marshfield; her four grandchildren: Joanna Messman (Craig) of Dorchester, Nathan Kramer (Gayle Robertson) of Salem, Ore., Erin Fish (Dan) of Peach Tree, Ga., and Beth Krokstrom (Ryan) of Marshfield; and three greatgrandchildren: Evan, Molly and Madison Fish.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; a brother, Ernest Haack; and a sister, Irene Mueller.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.