Helen K Cram

Helen K. Cram, of Montclair, VA, passed away on November 15, 2015, with her family at her side. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, December 15, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND, with her husband, Lyle. Helen was born in Breckenridge, MN, to Ray Charles and Gladys Kathryn (Anderson) Thompson of Walcott, ND, on March 23, 1935. She married the late Lyle Arthur Cram, Sr. on July 13, 1956, living in Virginia for the past 59 years. She graduated from, played basketball, and was a member of the cheerleading squad for Antelope High School in Barney, ND, before attending the North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU), Fargo, ND. She moved with her husband to Virginia shortly after her marriage; however, she still felt that North Dakota was home. In 1962 she started working on Capitol Hill for the United States Senate for Senator Quentin Burdick of North Dakota and then for Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. of Virginia. Upon her retirement, she next worked for Virginia Delegate David Brickley, as his legislative assistant for 16 more years. She, along with her husband, helped to organize the Woodbridge Little League holding almost every office in the organization. Helen was also commended by the IRS for her 31 years as a volunteer tax preparer for individuals in Prince William County, Virginia. One of her favorite activities was traveling with her husband and grandchildren. Helen is survived by her three children and their spouses, Brian R. Cram and his wife, Carol, of Colorado Springs, CO; Sandra L. (Cram) Prettyman and her husband Larry, of Milton, DE; and Lyle A. Cram, Jr. and his wife Lysa, of Kenbridge, VA; and her six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Gerald Thompson and his wife Karen, of Bismarck, ND, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Cram Sr; her parents, Ray and Gladys Thompson; her mother-in-law and father-in-Law, George and Vi Cram, Bismarck; her sister, Patricia Eike; and her brother, Stephen Thompson. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask you to honor Helen through a donation to Delaware Hospice, Inc., 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or on-line at www.delawarehospice.org.