James "Jim" Kramer

GLENDIVE, MONTANA: James "Jim" Kramer, age 85, of Wibaux, Montana, passed away, surrounded by his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, on Monday, April 19, 2010 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive. Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, April 23, 2010 in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Wibaux and 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at St. Peters Catholic Church. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 23, 2010 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Wibaux. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Wibaux with Father Jolly Pathiyamoola officiating. Rite of Committal with Military Honors will take place in the Wibaux Cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Wibaux has been entrusted with the arrangements. Jim was born on February 10, 1925, at the family home, in Wibaux, the son of Peter and Mary (Spevachik) Kramer. He attended grades 1 - 3 and grades 6 -8, at the Been Country School in Wibaux. He attended Richardton Abby in Richardton, North Dakota for grades 4 and 5 and graduated from Wibaux High School with the class of 1944. He was a star athlete in track, football and basketball and held a Montana state track record until the 70's. Jim entered the United States Army in 1944, he was stationed in the Philippines during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the military in 1946, he returned to the Ranch. Jim married Shirley Mae Bixby in 1948 in South Dakota. The couple had their marriage blessed one year later at St. Peters Catholic Church in Wibaux. Jim again entered the United States Army in 1950 where he served in Korea. In 1951, after his second daughter was born, Jim was honorably discharged from military service. Jim returned to the Ranch and worked his entire life there, never fully retiring. Jim enjoyed visiting with everyone, young and old, and always had a dishwasher full of empty coffee cups. He loved to play cards, host whist parties and truly enjoyed life. No one was ever a stranger to Jim, he treated everyone equal. His daughters often joked that he ran the first homeless shelter. Jim enjoyed going to auctions and bragging about his bargain of the day. He always paid for everything, but never quite got around to picking them all up. He liked reading newspapers, health magazines and watching the news (HLN, CNN), he always stayed current with world events and held strong political views. Jim often proclaimed about being a millionaire 8 times over, referring to his 8 daughters. He cherished the time that he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They especially enjoyed picking berries together. He loved traveling with his family. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Shirley, son-in-law Joe Stewart and one great granddaughter, Mariah Knoll. Survivors include his eight daughters; Mary Jo (Jeff) Allen of Miles City, Montana, Linda (Chuck) Lucero of Great Falls, Montana, Wendy Billing of Wibaux, Rita (Larry) Barthel of Billings, Montana, Judy (Rob) Bushman of Wibaux, Susan (Ty) Hinek of Grover Beach, California, Tammy Stewart of Little Rock, Arkansas and Joy (Mark) Burman of Glendive; one brother, Donald Kramer of Bismarck, North Dakota; twenty three grandchildren, Tara, Kylie, Jacie, Cole, Brady, Brett, Jodi, Jami, Waylon, Justin, Chelsey, Mandy Mae, Lane, Robin, Shara Lee, Krista Joy, Jacklyn, Tanner, Tylee, Shelby Jo, Kramer James, Ashlee Mae and Nick Kramer; fourteen great grandchildren, Mackenzie, Chase, Cade, Harlow, Bailee, Rylee, Quinn, Ryne, Brandi, Brook, Lauryn, Jace, Gabrielle and Bo Marie, son-in-laws; Ron Smith and Bucky Billing, special family friends; Florence Ross and Jim Zinda. A local memorial will be selected by the family at a later date. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com

James "Jim" Kramer

February 10, 1925 - April 24, 2010

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

James "Jim" Kramer

February 10, 1925 - April 24, 2010

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support