Roy "Joe" Kramer

R. Joe Kramer, 79 was born February 21,1941 in Ozawkie, KS to William Anthony and Ellen Marguerite (Clare) Kramer. He passed away November 10, 2020 at St. Francis hospital in Topeka from complications due to COVID-19.

Joe grew up on a small dairy farm near Ozawkie and spent many hours on a tractor to avoid milking the cows. This was how his love of farming was born. He was a part of many activities in his youth, including the Boy Scouts and 4-H, where he enjoyed shooting guns and showing brown swiss heifers.

He attended Ozawkie Elementary School and Oskaloosa High School graduating in 1959. He attended Kansas State University where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and served as president. A fraternity brother, John Scott, introduced Joe to his sister, Charlene and they began dating. Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Statistics May 1964.

Joe and Charlene Ann Scott were married June 6, 1964 at the Federated Church in McDonald KS. After attending summer school at K-State, they moved to the Scott Ranch south of McDonald to begin farming with B.H. and John Scott. Joe and John were partners in cattle and crop production for 42 years.

Joe and Charlene had a son, Dennis Patrick, born May 30, 1967 and a daughter, Diane Christine, born September 15, 1968.

Joe became a member of the Masonic Lodge in Meriden, Ks in 1962. He was active in the McDonald Lodge and served as a Master twice. He was recognized as a 50-year member in January 2012. Joe and Charlene were both honored as 50 Year members of Order of the Eastern Star in 2017.

Joe enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors for Farmers Bank & Trust of Atwood and Brewster from January 1995 until his death.

Joe and Charlene traveled to Israel, Canada and Mexico, as well as various trips in the U.S. In addition, he enjoyed multiple fishing and hunting trips to Canada, Texas and Oklahoma throughout his life with his friends and family, beginning with his dad and ending with his grandkids.

Joe loved farming and the country his entire life and he had many interests and talents. He particularly enjoyed following his children and grandchildren’s sports activities and other events. He also spent time restoring a 1959 Ford Fairlane Retractable which he liked taking to car shows and parades.

He was preceded in death by parents W.A. and Ellen; brother-in-law John Scott; nephew Travis Scott and brother-in-law Leon Brunton.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Charlene, of McDonald; son Dennis and wife Elda Kramer, of McDonald; daughter Diane and husband Ryan Shay, of St. Francis; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, Riley and wife Kelsey Shay and daughter Raine, Kaileyanne Shay, Reid Shay, Rayden Shay, Rhett Shay, Ronan Shay, Ryder Shay and Ellie Shay and Katia Kramer, Valeria Kramer and Danny Kramer; sister Nancy Brunton, of Ozawkie; brother William Kramer and wife Susan, of Oskaloosa; sister-in-law Phyllis Scott, of Loveland, CO, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A closed casket visitation will be held from 4-6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Masks are required. A private family graveside service will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Atwood. Memorials are suggested to the R. Joe Kramer Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Atwood, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com