Fred L. Kramer

Fred was born June 15, 1939, in Springfield, IL, the son of Everett Fred and Clarissa Catherine Gorenflo Kramer. He married Judith “Judy” Ann Foster on August 18, 1963, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield; she preceded him in death on January 8, 2022. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

Fred began his education in mechanical engineering, later switching to agriculture, and completed his bachelor’s degree remotely from the University of Illinois in 1972 while beginning to custom farm in the Riverton area. He served on the Buffalo Tri-City school board for many years along with numerous agricultural boards. Fred was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He and Judy built their house together in 1970 and were lifelong farmers, working side by side growing their family farm in Sangamon and Logan Counties. Fred was an innovator; one of the first in the area to purchase a combine, implement no-till practices, and would often build tools and equipment needed to do the job at hand when nothing was on the market for the particular task. Fred held his family in the highest regard, teaching and guiding his children, grandchildren, and mentoring and teaching others valuable skills as well, all with a jokester spirit. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and saw the best in everyone. Fred believed in his daughters and instilled confidence in them that they could do whatever they chose to do, always modeling his work ethic, integrity, and the importance of caring for others. After losing Judy, he maintained her flower beds to the best of his ability, dined next to her picture each day, and began to develop his cooking skills, often feeding grandchildren and a nephew. Fred enjoyed learning and working, never bothering with idly watching television (with the exception of Wheel of Fortune). He loved to socialize, was the last to leave any event, and knew and touched the lives of many.

Fred is survived by his daughters, Dana (Kent) Weatherby of Springfield, Lisa (Darren Forgy) Kramer of Columbia, IL, and Gina (Marcus) Stewart of Springfield; grandchildren, Cole, Luke, Adam, Jacob, Dallas, Savannah, Dior, and Lyla; sister, Pauline Denzer of Dawson; and several nieces and nephews.

Private family ceremonies will be held with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Springfield, IL.

The family will host a Celebration of Life for both Fred and Judy on Thursday, April 20 at Long Bridge Golf Course from 4-8 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd, Springfield, IL 62702 or Agricultural Education Partnership of Logan-Menard-Sangamon Counties, 2631 Beechler Ct., Springfield, IL 62703.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.