Donna Kramer - Redwood Falls

Donna Kramer, age 85 of Redwood Falls passed away on Wednesday August, 6, 2014 at the Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday August 9, 2014 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm on Friday August 8, 2014 with prayer service at 8 pm at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be in the Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Vesta. In lieu of flowers please give to Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall at Priarie Home Hospice 408 E. Main St. Suite 8, Marshall, Mn 56258. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. Donna was born March 14, 1929 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Rudolph and Clara (Zeug) Wagner. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Victory Church in Lucan. Donna grew up on the Wagner homestead near Lucan. She was a 4-H member and recognitions included runner-up for dress review champion, a State Fair grand championship in furniture refinishing of her Grandma’s dresser in 1942, and a Redwood county 4H radio speech championship when she was 15. While in high school, she also worked on window display & store advertising for JC Penney’s in Tracy, MN. After graduating from Wabasso High School, she attended St. Catherine’s College from 1946-1947 and Mankato State College in 1948. She taught rural elementary school (grades 1 6) in Lyon County from 1947 1950. On June 17, 1950, she was united in marriage to Maurice Mathias Kramer at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Lucan and they settled on their farm near Vesta where they raised their family. While raising their family, Donna & Maurice were 4H leaders for the Vesta Vikings 4H club. After Donna & Maurice moved to Redwood Falls in 1994, they started “wintering” in Mesa, Arizona where she enjoyed clogging and helped organize an annual dance festival. Donna was an active member of Holy Name church serving as organist, choir director, CCD teacher, and CCD coordinator. After moving to Redwood Falls, she became a member of the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church where she participated in committees, sang in the church choir, and served as a cantor. During winter months when living in Arizona, she was also a member of her Mesa church choir. In 1969, Donna returned to college and received her Bachelor’s degree in physical education from Southwest State University in 1977. She taught physical education for the Wabasso School District (including Vesta and Lucan) from 1970-1986. Donna taught a variety of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, ballroom & theatrical dance. She was a pioneer of liturgical dance in the New Ulm Diocese enjoyed dancing the Lindy with Maurice together for many years. Donna belonged to numerous dance organizations and served as the Minnesota State Dance Chair and National Vice President of Dance in Education Division. She also provided choreography for the Prairie Arts Chorale and dance instruction for the Young America Dance Company. Donna Marie Kramer died at 9:05 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Hospice House of Marshall, MN. In addition to music and dance, Donna enjoyed sewing, cooking, and gardening. She is survived by children Paul Kramer of Savage, MN, Terese Kramer of New Berlin (suburb of Milwaukee, WI); Virginia (Bill) Allie of Rochester, MN; Michelle Danielson of Sanger, TX; Tony (Julie) Kramer of Vesta, Julia (Jeff) Poston of Sickerville, NJ; Chris (Rose) Kramer of Lucan; and Amy (Tom) Salfer of Marshall, 17 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Her husband Maurice, parents Rudolph & Clara Wagner, sister Lorraine, and son Joseph preceded her in death.