Robert "Bob" Bernard Kramer, age 82, of Ashwaubenon, passed away at his home on December 21, 2024 due to complications from pulmonary fibrosis. He was born (also at home) to Bernard and Maybelle (Courtion) Kramer in the town of Institute in Door County, WI and spent his childhood in Lena, WI.

After graduating from Lena High School, Bob enlisted in the Army and when his service ended he continued his education at Milwaukee School of Engineering then earned his degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute. He met Patricia Herald one September night in 1964 and when he got home told his mother that he met the girl he was going to marry. Pat and Bob wed on June 3, 1967 and enjoyed 57 years together raising their family. Of course there were challenges too. Bob miraculously survived a massive brain aneurysm at the age of 37 and with every health challenge he faced after that, he proved that he really had nine lives!

Bob worked in sales in the paper and flexographic printing industry during his working years. He got to travel the United States as well as countries in Europe, South America and the Middle East to meet with customers. He would call home every night from the road and bring treats from his travels for his family.

As an active member of Nativity Of Our Lord Parish for more than fifty years Bob served in various roles, such as a member of the Knights of Columbus, a eucharistic minister and along with Pat, worked as part of the marriage preparation team. He was also part of the Ashwaubenon Optimist group for many years and recently volunteered at Parkview Middle School popping popcorn. He sometimes slipped a dollar bill into a popcorn bag to surprise a student.

He was a hunter, a handyman, a woodworker, a gunsmith and a lover of the outdoors, who enjoyed helping on his grandparents' farm and berry picking as a boy and camping and fishing with his little brother, Terry, as an adult. He always shared stories of special people from Lena, especially the women who were the best cooks in town and the buddies he got into mischief with. Bob was known to hum old tunes and ask the kids and grandkids, "You remember that song, right?" even when the tune was from well before their time.

He was proud of each of his children and grandchildren, and was absolutely delighted when his great-granddaughters came to visit. Kind of like the people from Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon, when speaking of his family it was as if, "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."

Survivors include his wife Pat, children Kimberly (Scott) Wagner, Kristin (Keith) VanDen Heuvel and Kraig (Billie) Kramer, all of Ashwaubenon; grandchildren Kathryn (Adam) Steege, Michael, Elizabeth (Reighly), and Daniel Wagner, Lauren (Keaton), Natalie and Christine VanDen Heuvel, and Kennedy and Matthew Kramer; great-grandchildren Audrey and Charlotte Steege; sisters Bonnie (Jerry) Nickols, Debbie Wilson and brother Terry Kramer; in-laws Nancy Burg (Al Dowe), Jim (Sue) Herald, Jerry (Maralee) Herald, Jean (Lyle) Buss, Harley Garrigan and many special nephews and nieces such as Michelle Garrigan. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James "Jimmy" Kramer; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Priscilla and Michael Herald; sister-in-law, Jane Garrigan and brother-in-law Robert Wilson.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. 10th St, De Pere, WI 54115, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 26, 2024. A prayer service will conclude the evening at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, December 27, 2024 at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 2270 S. Oneida St., Green Bay at 9:00 until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Matt Simonar with burial at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Stiles, WI, at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established in honor of Bob.