Merna Lee Kramer

MERNA LEE KRAMER

Buffalo, Minn.

Merna Lee Kramer, age 94, of Buffalo, Minn., went home to the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, at Park View Care Center in Buffalo.

She was born on a farm near Marion, Iowa, on Aug. 24, 1927, to Harold and Winifred (Shaffer) Hemphill.

Following graduation from high school, Merna attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and Coe College in Cedar Rapids. For several years she taught in rural schools.

Merna Lee Hemphill and Donovan Dale Kramer were married on Dec. 26, 1948, in Troy Mills, Iowa. God blessed their marriage with four children. Donovan Kramer preceded his wife in death on April 4, 2018.

She was an extraordinary seamstress who also enjoyed gardening. Merna was an avid letter writer and always was genuinely interested in other people. Family was especially important to her.

Donovan and Merna helped plant churches in Dubuque, Iowa, Oconomowoc, Wis., and Vilnius, Lithuania. The couple retired in Buffalo, Minn., in 2002 to be near family.

She is survived by her children, Donovan (Kathe) Kramer, Brian (Beth) Kramer and Brenda (Dave) Moses; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her loving husband, Merna was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Pearl Kramer; her parents; sisters, Marian Louise and Norma June; and a brother, James Leland Hemphill.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Center Point Cemetery in Center Point, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo, Minn., on Friday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, Minn., is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.