Mary Alice Kramer's Obituary
Mary Alice Kramer was born on December 29, 1942 in Decatur, Illinois to Raymond and Helen (Gehmen) Strassburger. She married Henry E. "Woody" Kramer on January 25, 1964. She entered into eternal rest on December 26, 2023, three days shy of the age of 81.
Survivors include children Liane Foerder of Westfield, IN, Alice (Mike) Dutler of Vernon Hills, IL, Kevin Kramer of New Buffalo, MI, Letha Kramer (Lisa Watkins) of Mahomet, IL, Ellen (Bryan) Ericson of Mahomet, IL, and Lauren Kramer (Ryan Anderson) of Peoria, IL; grandchildren Stephanie (Dustin) Gay, Becca and Lexi Foerder; Christian, Abby, and Matthew Dutler; Livia, Henry and Griffin Kramer; Hannah and Owen Ericson; Charlotte and Isaac Kramer-Watkins. In 1976, Mary Alice and Woody welcomed Anicia Kramer and Cami (Kramer) Pisklak, Woody's youngest sisters, into their family. In addition, the family opened their hearts and home to numerous exchange students from around the world. Two weeks prior to her passing, she was preceded in death by her husband, Woody. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Elizabeth Engelbrecht and Irene Schlorff.
Mary Alice was a 1960 graduate of Champaign High School. After graduation, she attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in the Class of 1963. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1990. Her nursing career spanned the course of 45 years including working as a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Champaign, IL, an office nurse with Dr. Stanley Huffman in Mattoon, IL, and culminating as the school nurse for Charleston Community Schools, from which she retired in 2007. Mary Alice was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Charleston, Illinois where she served as the organist for the church choir for more than forty years. In June of 2014, Mary Alice was named a Woman of Distinction by the Springfield Illinois Dioscean Council of Catholic Women.
Mary Alice is known for her generous, caring, and giving spirit. She loved music, sewing, and baking - particularly at Christmas time and when her grandchildren visited. She dedicated herself tirelessly and selflessly to her children and their various activities, including serving as a leader of her children's 4-H club, the Charleston Cloverettes, and attending hundreds of sporting and music events.
Mary Alice was a devoted wife to her husband, Woody, whom she knew she would marry after first laying eyes on him. After their first date, she told her mother that she had met the man she would marry. How fitting it is that Mary Alice joined the love of her life in heaven so soon after his passing.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Ave., Charleston, IL with Father Braden Maher officiating. Livestreaming will be available on YouTube under Mary Alice Kramer. Private inurnment will follow at a later date. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a Nurse's Honor Guard Ceremony to begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by the praying of a Rosary at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL prior to Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary Alice Kramer Aspiring Nurse Scholarship, to be set up in the near future. The scholarship will be awarded to a member of the Charleston High School Class of 2024 intending to pursue a career in nursing. Send donations to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.
To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle, or post photos, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com. Adams Funeral Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.
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