Our Dear Mother, Katherine Ann Kramer passed away June 26, 2024, at the Cherry County Hospital at the age 74. She was born July 26, 1949 to Leona and Herman Tappe in Dubuque, IA.
Kay traveled the world with her husband, Robert, during his 20 years of military service. They moved to Valentine in 1985 when Robert retired.
She cleaned houses and First National Bank and then Security First when they took over. Kay was also, part owner of Don’t Rush Me Bob Ceramic shop from 2006 to 2014. When the shop closed, she worked at the post office for many years, until she retired.
Kay loved to work in her flower beds. She had beautiful flowers at the post office, which many locals enjoyed, as well as her private flower beds. She was the topic of Facebook in recent years, after the post office removed those beds.
Kay was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her the most, offering support, wisdom and love in abundance. She was full of love and laughter. She was full of strength, determination and resilience. She touched the lives of all that knew her.
Kay was always on the go, she inherited the names Hurricane Kay and Tornado Kay. Mom always looked at life with a positive attitude. She never complained, even during her final years when she was in pain. Mom set a high standard of work ethic, faith, love, wisdom, strength and determination for us to follow.
She is predeceased in death by her husband of 53 years Robert R. Kramer; her parents, Leona and Herman Tappe; sisters, Barbara Timmerman, Kathy Tappe, Judy Tappe, Carol Tappe-Wordern, MaryJo Gibson, Annie Scarff, and her brother Patrick Tappe.
She is survived by her siblings, Ginger Blann and Michael (Colleen) Tappe; her four children, Patricia Sherman of Cheyenne WY, Dorothy (Rex) Gallino of Valentine, Roberta (Matt) Whalen-Lomax of Cheyenne WY, and William Kramer of Cheyenne, WY; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A small graveside service will be held for family, and a celebration of life will be held July 27, 2024, at the Valentine Vets Club from 1:00 -3:00 p.m.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of service arrangements.
