Donald Cramer

Donald Lee Cramer, 71, of Wausau, passed away at home on November 14, 2010. He was born on May 29, 1939 in Wausau to the late Clarence and Lydia (Martens) Cramer. Donald attended local schools and graduated from Wausau Senior High School. He later married the former Shirley Karye on June 11, 1960 in Owen, Wis. Donald worked as a truck driver for 18 years for Wausau Homes and later for H.O. Wolding until he retired in 1985.
Donald was a knowledgeable man about many things and valued family. He enjoyed hunting deer, bear, coyote, and bobcat, always with his boys; fishing in the area and in Canada; gardening; canning and pickling; woodworking; cooking and baking, especially pies; smoking meats and making sausages; and overall just being outdoors. He was a member of Cornerstone Lutheran Church.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Wausau; two brothers, Arlis (Virene) Cramer of Wausau and Nolan (Glenda) Cramer of Minneapolis, Minn.; a daughter-in-law, Terri Stover-Cramer, of DeForest, Wis.; four grandchildren, Ryan (Nicole) Anderson of Sun Prairie, Wis., Brett (Jodi) Anderson of Verona, Wis., Kyle Ellison of DeForest, Wis., and Erin Ellison of Watertown, Wis.; four great-grandchildren, Zack and Brielle of Sun Prairie, Wis. and Claudia and Caleb of Verona, Wis; three nieces and one nephew; and his companions, Coco and Krissy.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Brian and Terry, and his brother, Glen.
Friends and family may call at Helke Funeral Home and Cremation Services beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 until the time of service. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Patrick E. Pierce officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Withee, Wis. You may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.