Mary Elizabeth Kramer (Witmer)

Mary Elizabeth Kramer (Witmer), age 75, passed away January 28, 2018 at St. Joseph Senior Living Memory Care Unit, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her parents, Kenneth and Madeleine Witmer. She is survived by her devoted husband, Lawrence J. Kramer, Sr., with whom she celebrated 50 years of marriage on January 27th. She is also survived by her four children, Dr. Kenneth Kramer (Bridget) of Omaha, Nebraska, Lawrence Kramer Jr., Esq. (Holly) of Dublin, Ohio, Dr. Louis Kramer (Janet) of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and Monica Russell, Esq. (James) of Medina, Ohio, as well as her brother, Fr. Joseph Witmer of Louisville, Ohio. Mary was a wonderful mother who instilled her commitment to community service, Catholic faith, enduring kindness, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit in her children. She took great joy in spending time with her twelve grandchildren, Sarah, Jack, Maggie, L.J., Maurice, Brennan, Abbey, Ethan, Alana, Myles, Madeleine and Tre. Mary was a Registered Nurse, a graduate of Mercy School of Nursing in 1963, and served at University Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Sumser Nursing Home, and with Claim Management in Alliance. She was a dedicated volunteer in her community. Mary was a swim coach for the Louisville YMCA in the 1970s; she served on a number of committees at her parish, Sacred Heart of Mary in Harrisburg, including the festival co-chair for 6 years in the 1980s where she started a successful lemonade stand; she was active with her therapy dog, Kia, taking her to visit nursing homes and local schools; she was on the board of directors of St. Joseph's in the 2000s where she served on the committee that planned the development of the memory care unit in which she resided for the last 4 1/2 years. Mary loved the outdoors and was an avid camper. She was a Girl Scout, having spent time at Great Trail Girl Scout camp in her youth and was a leader for her daughter's troop at Sacred Heart of Mary School. Mary enjoyed traveling and planned many family trips across the country. She and Larry traveled extensively in Europe as well. Mary battled Alzheimer's Disease for 10 years. Although the disease took many things from Mary, it never took her enduring good humor, or her ability to enjoy her family and her beloved husband. Mary had great care from the attentive staff of St. Joseph Senior Living. She will be missed by all who knew her for her smile and graciousness. Family and friends will meet on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church (Harrisburg) for a Mass of Christian Burial with her brother, Father Joseph Witmer and Father Nicholas Mancini as celebrants. Burial will be in Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Lamiell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Harrisburg, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, St. Joseph Senior Living, or the Louisville YMCA.