Beatrice "Bea" Jean Kramer
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Beatrice "Bea" J. Kramer, 89, of Dubuque passed over to be with loved ones and friends in heaven with Jesus on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at home with family at her side, from pancreatic cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM at Holy Spirit Parish-Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dubuque with Rev. Steve Garner officiating. Friends may call from 9 AM until Mass time at Holy Ghost Church. Hoffmann Schneider and Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Road is assisting the family. Bea was born on February 7, 1930 in Harpers Ferry, Iowa, daughter of Perry and Erma (Smith) Jones. She was united in marriage to Eugene G. Kramer February 3, 1945. He preceded her in death in 1983 after 38 years of marriage. From this marriage came 3 children, Mary Ann, Richard and Dolores whom they raised in Dubuque. In October 1966 Eugene and Bea purchased, owned, and operated the Knight Light Supper Club in Dyersville with their son, Richard Kramer. They operated and managed the business until 1980 when they retired and their son, Richard E. Kramer took over and operated with other family members until 2005 when it closed after 40 years. Bea was a delightful, hardworking, kind, caring, witty, very generous, and a strong willed person. After her husband died she joined the Society of the Most Holy Trinity as a lay missionary for about 10 years. She worked with homeless at the Star of the Sea, substance abuse rehab in upstate New York, she worked in the mission in Kansas City, and the mission in Belin, New Mexico where she did all the cooking. She loved and enjoyed life and lived it to her fullest. Bea is survived by her son, Richard E. Kramer, of Dubuque; daughter, Dolores Schulte, Dubuque; 11 grandchildren, Karmen (Steve) Wilhem, of Hiawatha, Kourtney (Dan) Keough, of Urbandale, IA, Kurt Kramer, of Dubuque, Melissa Dutra (special friend, Al), of Earlville, IA, Mark (Angie) Dutra, of Monticello, IA, Diane (Chad) Deutmeyer, of Earlville, Lorenda (D.J.) Schulte VanWyke, of Panora, IA, Cheryl Schulte, of Auburn, IA, Jeff (Megan) Schulte, of Williamsburg, IA, Eric (Carrie) Schulte, of Independence, IA, and Emily (T.J.) Lynn, of Fort Dodge, IA; 14 great grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; son-in-law, Robert Dutra, of Earlville and sister-in-law, Anna Marie Jones, of Kansas City, MO and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Mary Ann Dutra (2013); 7 brothers and sisters Dale (Beula) Jones, Harley (Becky) Jones, Mildred (Ed) McGill, Leo Jones, Genevieve (Richard) Collier, James Jones, infant twins, (John and Pat Jones unknown) and a special friend, Lavern Patterson.
Family would like to give a special thank-you to Hospice of Dubuque, especially the nurses, Jessica and Julie, Dr. Cao, and Dr. Hermann for all of their help and support they showed to Bea.