Carol Lee Kraemer

She was born on September 5, 1932, in Long Beach, California, to Carl and Carolyn Lamb. She was a caring older sister to her two younger brothers, Chuck and Don. During her youth, her family moved frequently before eventually settling on a 640-acre farm on Newaukum Hill in Chehalis, Washington.

As a teenager, Carol met Robert Kraemer at a dance at the Newaukum Grange in 1948. She graduated from Chehalis High School in 1950 and later attended Thomas A. Edison Vocational School in Seattle, where she studied dressmaking for a year and a half. Prior to her marriage, Carol converted to Catholicism, and she and Robert were married on November 29, 1952, at St. Joseph Church in Chehalis.

They made their home in the Newaukum Valley, where they raised three children: Eugene, Mary Ann, and Barbara. Carol and Robert were married for 71 years before Robert’s passing in 2023.

Carol had many interests, but especially enjoyed sewing, crafts, canning, and caring for her family. One of her favorite pastimes was flying kites on Washington’s beaches. She was a proud member of the Grange for 76 years and was deeply involved in community service, particularly programs supporting youth. She served as a 4-H and Junior Grange leader and held the position of Junior Grange District Chairperson for Southwest Washington. She was also active in the Junior Grange camping program at Mayfield Lake Camp, where she positively impacted the lives of many young people.

Carol worked professionally as a seamstress from her home beginning in 1959 and continued sewing throughout her life. She was also a devoted caregiver for her parents and her mother-in-law from 1993 to 2005. Over the years, she pursued various entrepreneurial ventures, including helping to establish the local farmers market, where she was a vendor, and participating in local craft bazaars.

In her later years, while living in assisted living, Carol remained active and creative—she loved completing jigsaw puzzles and continued sewing aprons and her signature monkey dolls, which she donated to local charities.

Carol is survived by her brother, Donald (Marj) Lamb of Forks, Washington; her son Eugene (Vickie) of Gig Harbor, Washington; daughters Mary Ann of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Barbara of Olympia, Washington; three granddaughters, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her brother Charles.

The service will be held at Sticklin Funeral Chapel on May 1, 2025 at 11:30am, followed by a brief graveside at Claquato Cemetery at 1pm and a reception at Sticklin Funeral Chapel at 2pm to 4pm.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the many compassionate caregivers who supported Carol throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph School.