Marie Kramer

Marie Kramer, 64, passed from this life to another on February 22, 2024, at her home in Bismarck with her loving family beside her. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM, Friday, March 1 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 1143, N, 26^th St, Bismarck. 

Visitation will be held from 6:00PM to 7:00PM, Thursday, February 29 with a prayer service starting at 7:00PM at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave, Bismarck. 

Marie was born on October 27, 1959 in Elgin, ND to Vincent and Catherine Meier and grew up on the family farm north of Burt. That’s where she learned the true meaning of work, hauling bales, harvesting, driving grain truck, tending calves and other critters. Of course, her favorites were the farm cats, dozens of them at times, all named and all her best buddies. 

Marie attended school in Mott, graduating high school in 1977. From there she went on to the ND State College of Science in Wahpeton, where she earned her degree in medical transcription. Her first job was at Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. She sure enjoyed the work and made many good friends while there. Through those friends Marie met Keith Kramer who eventually became her soulmate and lifelong companion. They married in 1981 and made their home in Bismarck where she accepted a position at St. Alexius Medical Center.

Marie loved working in the medical field and became very proficient at it, excelling in typing speed and accuracy. She continually challenged herself to improve and to master medical terminology, which lead to a rewarding 41 year career at St. A‘s. She also worked for several transcription agencies in Bismarck and around the country as part-time help. 

Marie enjoyed a number of hobbies, creating many beautiful items in sewing, ceramics, cross-stitching and a variety of other crafts. She was also an excellent cook and baker and took great pride in her vegetable and flower gardens. She loved games, both indoor or outdoor, board games or bocce, but her true love was card games. She was a fierce and ruthless competitor, just ask Cory and Cayden! She was an avid sports fan, cheering for the Twins, Vikings and Bison!

She loved holidays, birthdays and any special occasion that was cause for celebration. She would decorate for every holiday, but went all-out for Christmas. Her tree was always beautiful and she made sure that Christmas was extra special for everyone, every year.

Together, Marie and Keith enjoyed the great outdoors, camping, fishing, hiking, exploring and photography. They traveled to many spectacular places throughout the U.S. and Canada. Those adventures and the friends they made are unforgettable. They also enjoyed taking photos for weddings and other events, meeting many wonderful people there also. 

The family grew with the arrival of two beautiful daughters, Beth in 1990 and Kelsey in 1993. The camping and adventures continued but the girls needed to bring more gear, not wanting to rough it! They soon outgrew the tent and the van, moving to a pop-up camper and soon after a fifth wheel RV with plenty of room for all their camping stuff. Beth and Kelsey also made many friends, especially at the Downstream Campground. They also developed a love of nature and a respect for all of God’s creatures, except mosquitoes and ticks. Marie loved spending days at the Lake Tschida cabin, enjoying family time and making memories. 

Marie taught her family many lifelong values like love, kindness, patience and to hold life precious. Live each day to its fullest and make memories! She showed those qualities and more in her battle with cancer. The rare mutation GIST sarcoma that struck her in 2020 has an unknown cause and had no treatment or cure, but she faced it with amazing courage! Marie felt that she was dealt a bad hand, but didn’t fold, playing it the best that she could.

Marie will be deeply missed by her husband of 42 years, Keith, grateful for spending her life with him, daughter, Beth (Cory) Woodworth, granddaughter, Aria and a grandson-to-be; daughter, Kelsey (Cayden) Smith, granddaughter, Haizley; stepson, Andrew (Suzanne) Kramer, grandsons, Brannan, Ian and Aeden; mother, Catherine Kouba; sisters, Jeanette (Dick) Zent, Lorraine (Armin) Treiber, LaDonna Treiber, and Robin Ulrich; brothers Vic (Sharon) Meier, Mike (Lynn) Meier, Larry (Cheryl) Meier and Lee Meier; mother-in-law, Winifred Kramer; brother-in-law, Jerry (Jan) Kramer; sister-in-law, Kim (Fern) Moser; many dear nieces, nephews and friends and her loving cat, Grayci.

Waiting to greet Marie in heaven is her father, Vincent Meier; father-in-law, Elmer Kramer; brother-in-law, Duane Treiber; sister-in-law, Pam Meier; nephew, Stuart Treiber; dear friends, Sandi Mullick, Vicki Bleick, Sandy Hagen, Don & Dee Heinze and her beloved cats, Joey , Meeko, Kato and Little Zoey.

The family wishes to thank CHI Health at Home for the sincere and loving care they provided to Marie during this time. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Furry Friends, 2906 Morrison Ave, Bismarck, ND, 58504, Kitty City, 4747 22nd Ave, Huff, ND, 58554 or Central Dakota Humane Society, 2104 37th St, Mandan, ND 58554.