Joseph (Joe) Kramer, known as "Papoose" to his grandchildren, passed away at the age of 63. He was stricken with Leukemia in the late 40's. Struggeling with the disease, he required many trips to the University of Iowa Hospital Iowa City, for blood transfusions. The only treatment, available at the time.He and his wife Mary, raised 5 children during the hardest of times, the "great depression". Their oldest daughter, Irene, passed away at the age of 18, with diabetes. He worked extra, earning enough to buy her insulin at $10 a bottle. More than he would earn with 2 weeks of work. Other children were, Eleanor, Edna, Alvis and Josephine.He was a hard working father, he farmed, trapped and hunted wild game, meat for his families table.His talents were in his carpentry work, he built his daughter Eleanor and family, their home on West Point Hill, Ft. Madison.All of his children were gifted with a crib, made with bark from trees, to display in their homes at Christmas time.When his Grandchildren would come and visit, it was his time to walk them into West Point, treat them with an ice cream cone, from the "corner tap". Then change, he had left in his pocket, would be spent on a euchre game, at the Knight's of Columbus.He was a member of St. Mary's Church in West Point. He and his family were so well known in the area, his funeral was one of the largest ever attended for the community.Link Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangments.
Joseph (Joe) Kramer, known as "Papoose" to his grandchildren, passed away at the age of 63. He was stricken with Leukemia in the late 40's. Struggeling with the disease, he required many trips to the University of Iowa Hospital Iowa City, for blood transfusions. The only treatment, available at the time.He and his wife Mary, raised 5 children during the hardest of times, the "great depression". Their oldest daughter, Irene, passed away at the age of 18, with diabetes. He worked extra, earning enough to buy her insulin at $10 a bottle. More than he would earn with 2 weeks of work. Other children were, Eleanor, Edna, Alvis and Josephine.He was a hard working father, he farmed, trapped and hunted wild game, meat for his families table.His talents were in his carpentry work, he built his daughter Eleanor and family, their home on West Point Hill, Ft. Madison.All of his children were gifted with a crib, made with bark from trees, to display in their homes at Christmas time.When his Grandchildren would come and visit, it was his time to walk them into West Point, treat them with an ice cream cone, from the "corner tap". Then change, he had left in his pocket, would be spent on a euchre game, at the Knight's of Columbus.He was a member of St. Mary's Church in West Point. He and his family were so well known in the area, his funeral was one of the largest ever attended for the community.Link Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangments.
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