Catherine Marie Cramer

Catherine Marie Cramer, 97, passed away at Lincoln Village Convalescent Center on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. She was born in Salem on September 2, 1911, daughter of the late Mathias and Rose (nee: Jackley) Reiter. On June 18, 1935, she and Leroy Cramer were united in holy matrimony at St. Francis Church in Brighton. She spent most of her life in Racine. Catherine was a faithful member of St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church, and active in the Christian Mothers and Altar Sodality.

She loved to fish, and was known as a “Walleye Fisherman Extraordinaire.” She enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, and at her summer home in Lynxville. She also liked to cook, bake, embroider and crochet. Many family members and friends will cherish the gifts she made for baby showers and wedding gifts. She was especially proud of her children and their families.

Catherine is survived by her children, Carol (Edward) Banaszak of Naples, Florida, Judith (Al) Cramer-Isen of Lynxville, Anita (Robert) Atkinson of Racine, James Cramer of Racine, Mary Lee (Patrick) Stewart of Greendale, and Patricia (Bruce) Haertel of Racine; 16 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; grandson Steven Vertz; granddaughter Ann Marie Banaszak; brothers Leo and Clarence Reiter; sister Annette Reiter; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ray and Louise Noe, Rita Cramer, Marce Reiter, and Bev Reiter.

The funeral Mass for Catherine Cramer will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church (15th and Grand Avenue). Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia. All are invited to visit with the family at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Memorials to St. Richard’s Church, or St. Catherine’s High School have been suggested.

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
4600 County Line Road, Racine (262) 552-9000