Franz (Frank) Krämer, Sr.  -- 1933 
from the Burlington Call, Burlington, Colorado

       Franz Kramer, son of the parochial school teacher, Claus Kramer, was born in Arbara, Austria-Hungaria Monarchy, December 26, 1853.  On December 31 he was baptized.  At the age of 13 he went with his parents to Birsala, South Russia, where they made their home until 1889 when he immigrated to the United States and settled down north of Bethune on the farm where he lived ever since.
 
       On June 10, 1869 he was confirmed and at the age of 23 he was married to Barbara Neibecker.  This union was blessed with 10 children, five girls and five boys.  Four sons and one daughter preceded the father in death.  Those alive are Frank, Marie, Christena, Margaratha, Rosie.  His first wife died in 1894. After two years he married Fredericka Adolf.  With his second wife he had seven children.  Two died before their father passed away.  Those alive are Chris, William, Katie, Pauline and Emilie.  About 17 years ago his second wife died.  Nine times he stood at the grave of one of his immediate family which consisted of seventeen children, 22 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
 
         He was a member of the Lutheran Immanuel Church, north of Bethune as long as he lived in Kit Carson County.  On December 12 in the evening, he received holy communion.  He was suffering with an attack of pneumonia.  He expressed his faith in the Savior and desired to die.  And in this faith he died on December 14, 1933 at 2:15 p.m. at the age of 79 years, 11 months, and 18 days.  Funeral service conducted by H. L. Woelber, was held December 16 at 1:30.  His remains is resting on the Lutheran Cemetery of the Immanuel Church awaiting the resurrection on the great day.  
 
         With the numerous friends which are left behind, the CALL wishes to extend its sympathy.

H.E. Wilske, pastor
Burlington, Colorado

German Obituary

German Obituary Translation
23 February 1934
Der Staats-Anzeiger - McPherson County, SD
Franz Kramer has passed away. He was born on the 26 of December 1853 at Arbara in former Austria-Hungary, and was also baptized there as a child. When he was thirteen years old, he and his parents immigrated to South Russia, and they settled in the colony of Seebach near Birzula in the district of Kherson [Odessa].  There the deceased was confirmed in 1869 and married Barbara Neubecker in 1876; this marriage produced ten children, five sons and five daughters. From 1877- 1878 he fought in the Russian-Turkish war as a teamster (drayman), where he earned good money with his team. It was interesting to hear him tell about the strain of every fight. In the year 1889 the deceased immigrated to America with his family and took a homestead northwest of Burlington. In the year 1894 his wife died and two years later he married a second time to Friederike Adolf. This marriage was blessed with seven children. In the fall of 1916 his second wife died, and since then the deceased has lived with his children. Our friend Kramer enjoyed good health until he became ill on the 14 of December 1933, three [two?] days before his death. He died on the 16 of December and under full attendance was buried by Pastor H. L. Wolber, at the age of 79 years, 11 months and 18 days. He is mourned by ten children, 22 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, as well as by one brother. He rests in peace and the everlasting light shines upon him. (We give the bereaved our most sincere condolences. — Ned.)