Alice Kramer

Alice Marie Kramer, 90, of Onalaska, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2017, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

She was born February 4, 1927, in La Crosse, to Arthur and Blanche Marcus. She married Elmer Vern Kramer on July 29, 1944.

Survivors include her son, Tony (Jane); daughters, Patricia (Goodwin) Hass and Kathy (Jimmy) Arntson; grandchildren, Stephanie (Jeff) Davis, Heather (Jason) Demand, Justin (Jessica) Hass, Carmen (Jay Michel) Hass, Alec (Izzy) and Ryan (Amanda) Strittmater, and Jordan Arntson; great grandchildren, Zoe, Bria, Reese, Lilia, Declan, Keelan, Ayslan; brother-in-law, Harold (Margaret) Kramer; sister-in-law, Lilah (Walter) Bartz; sister, Doris (Bob) Witherow and brother, David (Dorine) Bolterman. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer “Ike” Kramer, sisters-in-law, Olive Hoffman, Lola Schafer, and Joy Charles; sister, Elizabeth Darby; and brother, Sonny Bolterman.

Alice worked at McLellans and Kresges department stores in La Crosse for many years and in the cafeteria as a cook in the Onalaska School system for 20 years where she retired. Early in her marriage, she and her family moved to Washington, Los Angeles, and then San Francisco but always returned to her roots in Wisconsin and settled permanently in 1960. Alice enjoyed reading (novels) and music, especially Gospel and Western music. She sang in school and church (Onalaska Methodist and First Lutheran) choirs, chorus, including many solos, music competitions and played the clarinet. Later in life, she was proud to have received her High School Diploma. She was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church.

She will be remembered for her love of the color purple, coordinating attire, even her nail polish, and her friendly and loving personality. She always loved meeting new people and never said a cross word about anyone. We invite everyone that can attend her service to honor Alice by wearing purple.

Special thanks to Bethany St. Joseph, Vicki Miller (Inclusa), Springbrook Assisted Living, LuAnn (her weekly hairdresser that did her hair for many years) and Mayo Clinic Health System for the thoughtful care provided to Alice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 13th, at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska. Rev. Karyn Bodenchatz will officiate. Burial will follow in Onalaska City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of Onalaska is assisting the family. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.