Marie Ann Krambeer, 87, of West Union, Iowa died Friday, October 7, 2022 at Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union, Iowa. Marie Ann (O’Rieley) Krambeer was born in McGregor IA on August 4, 1935, the only child of Thomas Daniel O’Rieley and Cecilia Elise (Haltmeyer) O’Rieley. They lived in rural McGregor in an area known as Sny McGill.
She became a child of God through Holy Baptism on August 25, 1935 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, McGregor and later confirmed her faith there. Marie became a faithful member of Zion Lutheran in 1960. She attended a one-room country school for a couple of years near their home. The family moved to McGregor buying a home on Main Street. She attended McGregor schools graduating at the Mar-Mac high school with the class of 1953.
On Father’s Day, June 20, 1954, Marie was united in marriage to Raymond Arno Louis Krambeer of Farmersburg IA at the Little Brown Church, Nashua IA. They were blessed with six children.
Over the years Marie was employed as a telephone operator in Elkader, a server at Lilac Lanes bowling alley, a custom seamtress (specializing in wedding dresses), a home and office cleaner; but mainly as a homemaker, mother and community volunteer. As a member of Zion she served as ZLCW president and circle leader, Smorgasbord chair, Cookie Walk organizer, Altar Guild chair and as a leader and sewer for Do Days. She also enjoyed her service with the American Legion and Luren Singers auxiliaries. As a young mother she led groups of Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H. For many years she was a volunteer driver delivering hot meals from the West Union Senior Citizens mealsite. She willingly transported neighbors in need of a ride in the community.
Marie resided in several locations in West Union: Sutter apt. on State St, St. Olaf Lutheran parsonage on East Main St, a house next door to St. Olaf church on Pine St, bought the “Big House” on the corner of Walnut and Plum Sts, rented a “Little House” on Oak St, and in recent years resided at Palmer apts. on Jefferson St. and recently moved to Stoney Brook Village assisted living on South Pine St.
Marie enjoyed helping and serving others, sewing, knitting, reading, crossword puzzles, decorating cakes, making cream cheese mints, watching Blue Bloods and Chicago Cubs baseball and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
After a declining health and a brief illness, Marie died peacefully surrounded by family at Gundersen Palmer Health Center of West Union IA on Friday, Oct 7, 2022 at the age of 87 years, two months and three days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray in 2002, a grandson Andrew Lueder in 1999 and son-in-law Dan Fowler in 2020.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children and their spouses: Pamela and Dennis Lueder of West Union, Barbara Fowler of Sumner, Gary Krambeer of Cedar Rapids, Cheryl and Dennis Schwake of Sumner, Alan and Kathy Krambeer of Marion, Roger Krambeer and Avis Boutilier of Cedar Rapids. Also seven grandchildren: Jeremy (Lindsey Lyon) Lueder, Benjamin (Heather) Lueder, Jena Schwake (Sean Stetson), Mason Schwake (Morgan Franzen), Matthew Krambeer, Nicholas Krambeer, Drake Krambeer and a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Lueder, and a community of friends.
Blessed be the memory of Marie.
Memorials may be given to Andrew Lueder youth fund of Zion Lutheran, ZLCW Do Days, or Festival of Lights (WU Rec Center).
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa with TEEM Student Minister, Isaiah Stansbery as the officiant.
Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery at West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.