Marie Louise Cram

She was born, one of the youngest of ten siblings, on January 21, 1933 to Joseph and Grace (Teasdale) Stephans of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

She experienced an exciting and fulfilled life, mostly because of her positive, happy go lucky and “go get’em” attitude. She was firmly devoted to The Lord reading her Bible and daily devotions every night, and supporting religious institutions; beside her youth and other participation at church, singing, playing the piano, and in the choir.

After graduating from Logan High School in La Crosse, WI, Mom left her small town for the big city of Chicago enrolling in Ravenswood Nursing School and Hospital.

There she met many interesting people and friends. About that time, she also met her husband, David, who was studying to become a medical doctor. Working as a Registered Nurse, Marie was able to help put David through school; the University of Wisconsin, Madison Medical School, and a Dermatology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

She had her children during this time – first Cynthia in Madison, WI; then David Jr. at Letterman Hospital Army Presidio in San Francisco, CA; followed by Tara at RAF Lakenheath Hospital Tactical Fighter Wing Air Force Base, England.

Marie traveled the world in the Air Force with David. Her love of travel continued throughout her life which she instilled in her children. After coming home from Europe, Mom realized that she had left her heart in San Francisco, then spent almost five decades in her beloved San Francisco.

Beside her devotion as a wife and mother, Marie worked a variety of jobs including, but not limited to, the wards of cancer, ENT, the Operating Room, and caring for our veterans at Fort Miley, San Francisco.

She worked as a Manager for the San Francisco Blood Bank and for a Nursing Home.

She helped David start the very first Psoriasis Day Care Center in the United States at UCSF, getting accolades from Priscilla Presley and Governor Ronald Reagan.

Marie eventually went back to school for a true love – Art. She achieved her Fine Arts Degree from SF State University accomplishing many works of art such as paintings and pottery.

She again later returned to University (Hayward) for a Masters in Public Health proceeding to work in the Medical Unit at the US Postal Service and fielding Labor Department issues as the Western Regional Director. All the while, Marie’s personality lit up people’s lives with her amazing diplomacy and creativity. She taught us to love, to have faith, and to thrive.

She remains a blessing to many. She is survived by her brother Clark Stephans (Margaret); her three children, Cynthia (Nathan Singer); David Jr. (Sally Lam) (Sharon); and Tara (Robert Montoya); and their children Daniel, Kevin, Wesley, Sydney, Christina (Christian Gonzalez); Carmen and Leila Estrella, respectively; and great-grandchildren Giuliano and Leo Gonzalez.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Joseph (Ester), Robert (Doris),

Deloris (John Terpstra), Iline (George Conway), Charles (Buela), James (Velma), Lucille (John Puschell), Grace (Bob Brown); and her ex-husband, David Cram.

A graveside service will be held at Los Osos Valley Mortuary and Memorial Park, CA Sept 13, 2025 | 10 am