Eileen Gretchen Kramer

Eileen Gretchen Kramer passed away at home in Indianapolis at age 53 on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Eileen was born in South Bend, IN and she grew up on the East side of Indianapolis. She attended Lawrence Central High School and graduated from Indiana University in 1993 with a degree in Mathematics. Eileen began her career working with Project SEED, teaching math in inner city schools in Indianapolis, Dallas and Milwaukee. She then switched gears into medical research analyzing data for IUPUI’s Biostatistics Department, Eli Lilly and WebMD. Friends and family knew Eileen for her keen intelligence, devoted generosity, and infectious smile.

Eileen loved to travel and make memories with her mom, sister, nieces and nephew. She was always up for a trip to Paris, New York City and anything Disney-related. Eileen loved music and trivia, and even met the love of her life, her late husband Woody performing karaoke. Her signature songs were “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, and a duet or “It’s Tricky” by RunDMC with Woody. Eileen knew every trivia answer in movies, TV, history, politics and health categories and only needed help rounding out the team in sports. Eileen was a frequent winner at Texas Hold’em tournaments, and everyone wanted Eileen as a euchre partner.

Eileen loved nothing more than to gather in groups of friends and family and she was a truly amazing friend to so many people. Eileen never met a stranger, and she made friends everywhere she went and from all walks of life. She joined in games and social activities whenever invited, priding herself on being the “yes” person. Can you help clean up before people get here? Would you help plan a game for the baby shower? How about a spur of the moment trip to NYC? Eileen’s answer was always an enthusiastic YES!

Eileen wasn’t just the most intelligent person we knew; she was the most intelligent person anyone knew. Her intelligence manifested itself not just in her mathematics abilities, but in her unmistakable curiosity and interest in others. Her skilled and charming conversations both set people at ease and made them think deeply. Eileen’s absence is felt by a circle so large because she touched so many lives.

Eileen is preceded in death by her husband Woody Rau, her father Patrick Kramer and brother Timothy Kramer. She is survived by her mother Margaret Kramer, sister Monica (Bob) Werner, nieces and nephew Madeline, Patrick and Claire Werner, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

Memorial Visitation will be Saturday, May 10 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM with a Service immediately following at 3:00 PM at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary, 2126 East 71st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.