Arlya Kramer

ARLYA KRAMER

Fairfax

Arlya Roaine Kramer passed away Feb. 18, 2016, at West Ridge Care Center. She was 81 years old.

Arlya was born in November 1934, to Arvid and Ruby Eklund in Hayfield, Minn. She graduated from Hayfield High School in 1953. In 1960, she married Gerald E. Kramer, whom she would later divorce. She was a homemaker for many years, babysitting numerous children in Belle Plaine. When these children were old enough to go to school, she began working for Benco Manufacturing in Belle Plaine. She retired in 1998 to move to Cedar Rapids to babysit her granddaughter.

She loved to knit, making beautiful baby blankets with matching booties. Reading, doing puzzle books and jigsaw puzzles were other things she enjoyed. She was very social and loved chatting with her friends over several cups of coffee. During the holidays you could find her in the kitchen with her dear friend making cookies, candy and breads.

She is survived by her children, Rick Kramer and Karlya (Leigh) Webber; her grandchildren, Destiny Kramer, Hailey Webber, Megan Webber and Adrianne (Jimmy) Crafton; and her great-granddaughters, Aubrey Demory and Samantha and Savannah Crafton. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wallace.

The family would like to thank those individuals who cared for Arlya while at St. Luke's Hospital in CCU and on 5 Center. Also, a huge thank-you to all who took such good care of Arlya at West Ridge Care Center. You are all awesome and made her last few weeks pleasant and comfortable, treating her with respect and dignity. UnityPoint Hospice team, thank you for your compassion and knowledge helping Arlya and her family travel through this final journey.

A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories at 1 p.m. Feb. 27 with services following in the chapel at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be made to either the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Foundation.