Norma Kramar
On a warm summer day on June 22nd 1929, Norma arrived in the world. She was born on the family farm near Foley, MN to proud parents Anna and Ernest Eckholm. The family grew over the next few years, adding siblings Harvey, Clyde and Byron. Norma graduated from Foley High School and attended St Cloud State University, graduating with a teaching degree.
After graduation, Norma taught in the communities Ogilvie, Crosby and Forest Lake. Her summers were filled with adventures. One summer, Norma travelled to Alaska with some other teachers to teach Inuit children at the fishing villages. Another summer, she and some friends went to Europe, travelling from Italy to Sweden. She stopped in Germany to visit her brother Harvey, who was stationed there at the time.
Eventually teaching brought Norma to Ely. It was here that she met a charming bachelor named Ed Kramar and the rest is history. Ed and Norma were married in 1959. The couple decided to reside in Ely, where they raised two children, Nancy and Keith. Ed worked for Reserve Mining and Norma continued to substitute teach in the Ely schools. They spent many family vacations travelling the country in their Travel Trailer. Lots of their vacations revolved around fishing.
Grace Lutheran Church was a large part of her family’s life. Norma was involved in the church’s circles and was a volunteer for numerous events. She is even a published author of several delicious recipes in the church’s regionally famous cookbook.
Sadly, Ed passed away in 2016, ending 57 years of a match made in heaven. Norma moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She passed away peacefully on November 6, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Norma is now in heaven, happily reunited with the love of her life.
She will be missed by daughter Nancy (Chris) Wood of Brooklyn Park, MN and son Keith (Loree) Kramar of Lake Elmo, MN, grandchildren Sam, Evan, Kristee, Brandon, Austin, Diane and great grandchildren Amy and Kenett.
A memorial service is being planned for Spring 2021. Please direct any memorials for Norma to Grace Lutheran Church