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Kathy Lee Kramer, age 73, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020 at her home in Tekoa from
cancer.
Kathy Lee Mecklenburg was born on January 20, 1947 at Ames, Iowa to Norman and Mae Fern
(Rounds) Mecklenburg. She was raised in Mapleton, Iowa, attended schools in Mapleton,
graduating from high school in 1965. Following high school, she attended Morningside College in
Omaha, Nebraska and received a degree in education and became an elementary school teacher.
She taught school until the birth of her two sons, Matthew and John. She was married to Donald
Williams. The family had lived in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, Boise, ID, and Kennewick, WA before moving
to Potlatch, ID in 1986, where she became Pastor of Elmore UMC. The calling that she was born to
do, serving God, Elmore church family, and the community all the way to the end of her days with
us. During her Pastoral career she attended St Paul School of Theology in Kansas. As she gained
experience and grew relationships she knew that she was exactly where she belonged, in Elmore
with her favorite people on Earth. She sacrificed for and loved this community beyond description.
As life goes on and ebbs and flows, her marriage to Don ended. Time passed and through collisions
of career paths, she met, befriended, fell in love with, and married Robert Kramer of Tekoa , WA,
Director of Kramer Funeral Home. They worked many of the same gigs professionally and their
relationship blossomed and flourished. In fact many “dates” would consist of Kathy riding along
with Robert as they zipped about the country side providing impeccable Funeral Home services.
These drives revealed their undeniable chemistry, similar senses of humor and unwavering duty.
They were two peas in a pod. They shared a keen mutual understanding of each other’s respective
careers that are extremely unpredictable with even more unpredictable schedules. This respect and
understanding allowed each to flourish in their respective fields.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Norm and Mae Fern Mecklenburg.
She is survived by her husband Robert Kramer, her sons, step-son, and many grandchildren:
Matt Williams (Holli), Erynn Bellevue (Sean), Danae, Brixton, and Gavin.
John Williams (Wanjiru), and Asher.
Adam Kramer (Suzi), Rylee, and Jackson
Hundreds of extended church and community family that she loved and served selflessly and
humbly with amazing dedication. (Don’t tell her we said that!)
Viewing will take place Wednesday December 9 at Kramer Funeral Home of Palouse, WA and
Thursday December 10 at Kramer Funeral Home of Tekoa, WA. A graveside service will take place
on Friday December 11 at 1:00 pm at Goldenrod Cemetery in Tekoa, with social distance
requirements. A larger public memorial service TBD later on in 2021.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to Elmore UMC, or Tekoa Ambulance.
Kathy passed peacefully in her comfy chair , holding the hand of the love of her life Robert. She was
and is the best of us.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of KATHY LEE (MECKLENBURG) KRAMER, please visit our floral store.
TEKOA AMBULANCE FUND
P.O. BOX 597, TEKOA WA 99033
ELMORE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
P.O. Box 584, POTLATCH ID 83855