Frederick Donald Kramer

Frederick Donald Kramer, age 99, died June 3, 2026 in Vancouver, Washington. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5520 NE Killingsworth, Portland, Oregon, 97218.

Fred was born on January 27, 1927 in Faribault, Minnesota. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, where his father was a teacher and the principal of Trinity Lutheran School. In 1941, he moved with his family to the Chicago area.

Fred’s entire career was spent in education. At age 19, he taught in a one-room Lutheran school in Atwater, Minnesota. He also played the church’s bellows-driven organ, hand-pumped by local farmers—and directed the choir. His salary was $100 per month. Fred boarded with a farmer’s family for $27 per month and always said he was able to save quite a bit of money at that job.

In 1952, Fred married Eunice Irma Wunrow, who he first met on a double date while attending Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois. Their marriage lasted 69 years, until Eunice’s death in 2022. The marriage was blessed with love, service to others, five children, and world-wide travel in their later years.

From 1949-1963, Fred served as teaching principal of Lutheran Schools in Peru, Indiana; Memphis, Tennessee; and St. Louis, Missouri. From 1963-2003, he served on the faculty of Concordia College (later Concordia University) in Portland, Oregon. His roles at Concordia during those years included, at various times, professor of psychology and education, registrar and academic dean. From 1985-91, Fred was the Director of Pacific Rim Programs in Tokyo, Japan. During that time, Fred and Eunice lived near Tokyo and traveled throughout Southeast Asia.

Fred’s earned a B.S. in Education from Concordia College (River Forest), an M.A. in Administration and Curriculum from Northwestern University (Evanston), and a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Statistics from the University of Portland.

Fred was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon since 1963, where he took on many volunteer roles. One of the great joys of Fred (and Eunice’s) later life was coordinating the Latino Ministry Program at Trinity. What began as a Thanksgiving basket program developed into ESL classes, a cooperative program with the Oregon Food Bank, gym nights with Bible studies, sewing classes, transportation for children to Sunday School, and many other activities. Both Fred and Eunice treasured the love and relationships they developed with the individuals and families who were part of these programs.

Fred’s family was a central part of his life. Although his duties at Concordia kept him very busy, he always found time to help his children with music lessons, algebra homework, attend their sporting events, and plan family camping trips during the two weeks he had off each summer. He encouraged his children to find their passions and interests, and he found ways to support them when they did.

We remember Fred as a storyteller, especially stories relating to his family history. Fred’s father grew up in Perry County, Missouri, among Lutheran German immigrants who came to America in 1838-39. The culture and practices of immigrant farm life in a German-speaking community in rural Missouri were part of Fred’s life story and Christian faith.

Fred is survived by five children: Stephen (Chris), Debbie, Tim (Ruth), David (Luz), and Becky; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Maggie), Joshua (Kaitlin), Anne (Eric), John (Racquel), Lei Lei, Lydia, and Noah; seven great grandchildren; and a dear friend of the past three years, Antoinette Emch. Although we grieve the death of our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, we’re comforted by knowing he touched many lives through his service, compassion, and generosity.

Memorial contributions in Fred’s name may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church (Portland, Oregon), Lutheran Latino Ministries (Mt. Angel, Oregon), or the charity of your choice.