Wayne Kramer

WAYNE ALFRED KRAMER

Phoenix, Ariz.

Wayne Alfred Kramer, 82, of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Mountain Park Senior Living. Burial to take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Evergreen Cemetery, 510 E. Stone Ave., Fairfield IA 52556. There will be a Celebration of Life Gathering for friends and family from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at The Fairfield Golf & Country Club, 905 E. Harrison Ave., Fairfield IA 52556. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Puppy Jake Foundation or Parkinson's Foundation, www.parkinson.org. Cards and memorials can be mailed to Steve Kramer, 1843 Libertyville Rd., Libertyville IA 52567. Friends may sign the online guest book at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Wayne was born Feb. 14, 1939, to Alfred and Ada (Ebert) Kramer in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. He married Sharon Mary Kienast on April 26, 1958, in Milwaukee, Wis. They were married for 57 years prior to Sharon's passing in July 2015.

Wayne grew up in Wisconsin, where he played baseball in school and discovered his love of all sports early on becoming an avid sports fan of all teams Wisconsin while having dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. He was separated from his family as a boy when they lost their farm during the Great Depression. During that time he learned valuable lessons about hard work and saving money from Thelma and Joseph Zivney, while living in their home in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. He eventually rejoined his family in Milwaukee returning many summers to Thelma and Joe's home. Wayne and Sharon met in grade school, where they grew up with a close group of neighborhood friends, eventually dating in high school and marrying shortly after their 1957 graduation. After watching his parents struggle to support their family after the loss of the farm, he yearned to provide a better life for his family. He got his first job at 16 working for the Milwaukee News Agency and continued to work there after his high school graduation. As part of his desire to better himself, Wayne left his job at the Milwaukee News Agency and moved his family to Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked for TV Guide/Reader's Digest in route sales. During his travels throughout his Iowa territory, he earned the trust and admiration of the Bernstein family, business owners of Hallmark/bookstores in Marshalltown and Grinnell, Iowa. Recognizing Wayne's determination and dedication to provide for his family, the Bernstein family loaned him money to buy the Fairfield News Agency in Fairfield, Iowa, where Wayne and Sharon planted deep roots. He had success growing the business and was able to expand the News Agency into a bigger store (the second of three expansions of the business) that included Hallmark cards, gifts and books as his prosperity began in the Fairfield business community. He became a member of the Chamber of Commerce, worked on the city council, and became the president of the Quarterbacks Club, a liaison organization between Fairfield and Parson's college. He continued his love of Wisconsin sports by bringing in members of the Green Bay Packers 1960s Championship Team to speak at events at the Parson, his love of the Packers carried until his passing. In the the late 1980s, Wayne and Sharon decided to leave the cold Iowa winters and humid summers for the desert climate in Arizona. They purchased Judy's Hallmark store in Scottsdale and moved into a home in Fountain Hills. There Wayne began his love of off-roading, exploring the desert, and enjoying boating on nearby Lake Saguaro. After their retirement, Sharon and Wayne became snowbirds and bought a lake side home in the Lake of Ozarks, Mo. They loved having summertime visits with family and friends, enjoying boating and lake activities while spending their winters in Arizona. As the years passed, they enjoyed seeing the fruits of their labor as all three children married and established successful work/family lives of their own. Wayne's childhood dreams had been fulfilled.

He is survived by two sons, Michael (Ellen) Kramer of Payson, Ariz., and Steven (Tami) Kramer of Fairfield, Iowa; one daughter, Jodie (James) Cole of Phoenix, Ariz.; sevengrandchildren, Eric (Janelle) Kramer, Amanda (Grant) Cushman, Lindsey Kramer, Bradley Kramer, Elise (Brett) Sutherland, Jade (Spencer) Littlefield and Peyton Cole; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

His family is forever grateful for his determination and hard work to provide them with a better life and are eternally grateful for all the unconditional love and support he provided during his time on Earth.