Martha E. Kramer

Martha E. Kramer, 95, of Sioux City, Iowa, died Monday, March 3, 2008 at Countryside Retirement Home. A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008, with visitation 1 hour prior at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Reverend Roger Madden officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Martha was born September 23, 1912, in Havelock, NE to William and Leata (Currie) Harms. She married Edward J. Kramer on July 25, 1953 in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Mrs. Kramer was a long time resident of St. Paul, MN and a former resident of Sioux City. She returned to Sioux City when she retired Montgomery Ward & Company on October 1, 1977. She served 44 years of service with Wards. At her retirement, she was presented a Proclamation by Governor Rudy Perpich of the State of Minnesota. On October 1, 1977 was declared Martha Kramer Day.

With Montgomery Ward she served as Regional Personnel manager also was Personnel Manager of the A, St. Paul store, the largest in the Company. Later she was promoted to Fashion manager of the St. Paul operation.

Martha was a past President of the Sioux City Welcome Wagon Club; she joined SCORE on March 29, 1979, (Service Corps of Retired Executives). She was the first women to be appointed as Chairperson for planning Business and Educational Seminars. Many National recognitions were received for the success of her Seminar Programs.

She was a past member of the Small Business Committee of the Chamber of Commerce for several years. She was a 50 years member of the Rose Croix Chapter of Eastern Star. She was also a member of the DX Chapter of the P.E.O since 1991, and a member of the Sioux City Womens Club, a member of First United Methodist Church and past member of Quota International.

Martha was a life member of the St. Lukes Auxiliary. In 1994, she was Committee Chairperson for the St. Lukes Childrens Miracle Penny Campaign. She served as Membership Chairperson and Volunteer Chairperson for the Auxiliary.

She is survived by her nephew Ronald Scott and wife Sandra of Sioux City, and a step son, Raymond Kramer and his wife Elsie of Newport, MN.

Preceding her in death was her parents, Louis and Leata Winckworth, husband, Edward Kramer on December 24, 1976, her sister Ruth Scott and her husband Harold.