Pamela Rae (Krambeer) Lueder passed away Friday, July 19, 2024 at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin surrounded by her family. Pam was born on February 25, 1955, the first-born daughter of Ray and Marie Krambeer. Because of the many births at the hospital around this date, her first hours were in a dresser draw used as a baby bed. She became a child of God through holy baptism on May 15, 1955 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, West Union and was confirmed on April 19, 1970 at Zion Lutheran, West Union.
Pam attended North High School, graduating from high school in May of 1973. She continued her education at NICC in Calmer, Iowa earning a degree in office management. After graduating from NICC, Pam was hired as the church secretary at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union. She served a total of 39 years as Zion’s Secretary, taking nine years off when their sons were young. While at Zion, she worked with nine pastors, many interns and the many interim pastors who served Zion between called pastors. All found her wealth of knowledge of Zion invaluable.
Dennis and Pam met after Dennis was elected congregational treasurer at Zion and he would stop at the church office to pick up bills to be paid and leave off paychecks. They slowly grew to know each other. Their friends soon realized Pam and Dennis were meant for each other, but Pam and Dennis were slower to figure it out! Some friends were subtle in pushing them together, others not so much. Dennis (who was quite shy), slowly Pam realized there was more than just friendship, but Pam showed no interest whatsoever. Dennis quietly pursued Pam with flowers now and then. They did date a couple of times, but Pam still showed little interest.
In Christmas of 1985, Dennis left a Christmas gift at the office, a teddy bear, which played Christmas music when its nose was pushed. On Christmas, Dennis found a small wrapped package in his church box. It was a framed photograph of her. Dennis still has that picture. Dennis and Pam were married on Valentine’s Day in 1988. They were blessed with three boys; Andy, Jeremy and Ben. The worst day of Pam and Dennis’ life was July 28, 1999 when Andy died. Their faith, family and their Zion Church and Community family got them through that awful day and the weeks that followed.
The best days were when their granddaughters were born; Lottie on January 26, 2020 and Hadley on July 16, 2024. Pam died on July 19th after a 14-month courageous battle with cancer.
Left to mourn Pam are her husband Dennis, sons Jeremy (Lindsey Lyon) Lueder, Ben (Heather) Lueder, granddaughters Lottie and Hadley, sisters Barb Fowler, Cheryl (Dennis) Schwake, brothers Gary Krambeer, Alan (Kathy) Krambeer, Roger (Avis Boutilier) Krambeer, brothers-in-law, Kevin (Sue) Lueder. Nieces and nephews Jena Schwake, Mason (Morgan Franzen) Schwake, Matt Krambeer, Nick Krambeer, Morgan Krambeer, Chris (Angie) Lueder, Kayla (Ben) Guthrie, Steven (Katie) Lueder, Brooke (Paul) Charbonneaux and Nicole Weidemann
Preceding Pam in death was her oldest son, Andy; parents, Ray and Marie Krambeer; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Jeanette Lueder; grandparents, Thomas and Cecilia O’Rieley and Harold and Leona Krambeer and brothers-in-law, Dan Fowler and Mike Lueder.
A visitation will be held 4:00PM to 7:00PM Friday, July 26, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church, 130 S. Washington St., West Union, IA 52175 and one hour prior to the service. A Celebration of Pam’s life will be held 10:30AM Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church with co-officiants Pastor Isaiah Stansbery and Pastor Susan Friedrich. Interment to follow at West Union City Cemetery, West Union, IA.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Zion’s trust endowment or the Andy Lueder memorial fund.
Burnham-Wood-Grau-Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.