Connie A. Kramer, 63, of Lena passed away Monday evening, January 28, 2013
at her home. She was born May 15, 1949 to Delmar and Florence (Niles)
Buelow. Connie attended St. Paul Lutheran School and East High School in
Green Bay. East High is where she picked up her first instrument and began
her musical journey. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin
Oshkosh with a degree in instrumental music education in 1971, her life's
great adventure began. Connie was hired by Lena High School and served her
school with passion and integrity for 38 years. She was a role model,
confidant, mentor and great friend to her students. Her kindness and wisdom
made a lifelong impression on those around her. She instilled in her
students and community a deep and abiding respect for our Nation's veterans
with yearly Memorial Day parades and Veterans Day programs. After retirement
in 2009, she took her gift for music education on the road - all the way to
St. Martin's Lutheran School in Clintonville, where she volunteered for the
past four years. As a proud member of the Wisconsin School Music
Association, the National Band Association and the North East Wisconsin
Concert Band, Connie worked diligently to provide quality programs for the
young people of this State and her community. Here are just a few of her
accomplishments: staff member at UWGB band camp for many years, guest
conductor of various Honor Bands throughout the state, initiated the
National Band Association Junior High All State Honors Band, which she
coordinated for many years, brought together the Lena Community to build the
Veterans Memorial Park in 2009, her "Wild Game Feed" these past 15 years has
raised funds for Cerebral Palsy, organized the "Targeting Breast Cancer"
trap shoot, member of the Oconto Falls Sportsmen's Club, started the Summer
Youth Trap Shoot at Lena High School, John Phillip Sousa Band Award,
numerous appreciation awards from the Sons of the American Revolution, the
Oconto Jaycees, American Legion, and Veteran Groups, and 2009 State of
Wisconsin Music Educator of the Year. Surviving are her husband William
Kramer (married April 16, 1977), Lena; Mother, Florence Buelow,
(Meadowlands) Oconto Falls; sister, Cristene (Neil) Redding, CA;
sister-in-law, Marsha Kramer (Donald) Groh, Lena; brothers-in-law, Mark,
John (Sue) and Paul (Jo) Kramer all of Lena; and six wonderful nieces,
Haylie, Catie, and Rosi all of Lena and Mackenzie, Brianne, and Hillary all
of California. Connie was preceded in death by her father Delmar Buelow and
father and mother-in-law Anthony and Norma Kramer. Connie holds a special
place in her heart for the "Up North" cabin and her faithful friend Boone.
Friends may call at the Rhodes Charapata Funeral Home, 438 W. Main St., Lena
Friday, February 1st from 3 P.M. until 9 P.M. Visitation will also be held
at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lena Saturday from 9A.M. until the time of
the Funeral Service at 11 A.M. with Pastor Ryan Landwehr officiating. Please
visit
rhodescharapata.com to
express online condolences and view video tribute.
Connie would like to thank: Amy Finnell at the Bond Center for keeping her
strong, her outrageous friends for keeping her grounded, the nurses and
staff at Bellin Cancer Center, along with Dr. Lynch and Dr. Tahsildar for
their caring touch, Unity Hospice for their knowledge and care and her
husband Bill for his love and support for 35 wonderful years. A special
thanks to all of those dear friends, neighbors, colleagues and students who
have sent cards, flowers, good wishes and prayers these last years of her
struggle. "Here the time to say Goodbye But not forever Just for now." In
lieu of flowers, the family will make donations in Connie's name to support
some of her many charities.
