Irene Bellman Kramer

September 09, 2014

Service Details

Irene (Bellman) Kramer, Dallas Center (formerly of Vinton, IA), was born June 16, 1919 in Indianola, IA to Donald and Margaret (Glascock) Bellman. She grew up in a generational family. Irene attended Mt. Hope Country School, Indianola High School, Simpson College, and earned a BS degree from Iowa State University in 1940. She worked for Union Electric, and St. Louis County Gas after graduation. She was united in marriage to Kenneth B. Kramer on July 3, 1941. They lived for a short time in Hampton, IA before moving to Primghar, IA. It was in Primghar that Kenneth was inducted into the Army (WWII). Following the war, they moved to Vinton, IA. After Kenneth’s death in 1970, she became director of Happy Time Child Development Center in Vinton, IA (daycare and pre-school) until her retirement in 1968. After her retirement, she continued volunteer work for her church and the community. Irene was honored by the Vinton Women’s Club as Vinton’s Woman of the Year in 1979. She enjoyed PEO, American Legion Auxiliary, a Book Club, and a number of elder hostels throughout the country. And most of all, she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In 2000, she moved to Dallas Center, IA to be near family. She was active in the Dallas Center Methodist church, and UMW, Chapter LA PEO, and book club, and took pride in the baby quilts she made for her great-grandchildren. Irene moved to Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center in June 2014, after a fall and was so proud of her “apartment” feeling blessed to have such a caring place to live in her final months. Two hours before her passing, she requested her daughter to bring her a red ISU t-shirt to wear for Saturday’s Cy-Hawk football game! Special appreciation goes to Spurgeon Manor staff and Dr. McHose in Dallas Center. Irene looked forward to going to her heavenly home and seeing her Savior, Jesus Christ in person.

Irene is survived by her children, Rose Anne (Roger) Rinderknecht of Clive, IA, Donald (Lori) Kramer of Ankeny, IA, Mary Sue (Eric) Larson of Maple Valley, WA, and Steven (Laurie) Kramer of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Leslie (Bob) Husted of Loveland, CO, Reed (Kristin) Rinderknecht of Clive, IA, Randall (Kristi) Rinderknecht of Urbandale, IA, Malinda Gehrke (Alex Sablin) of Maple Valley, WA, Rachel (Keith) Bonar of Vinton, IA, Sarah Simone of Ankeny, IA, Kenneth Kramer of Good Year, AZ and Kyle Baker of St. Louis, MO; 9 great-grandchildren; her sister, Kathryn Braught; and brother, Robert (Joanne) Bellman. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; and daughter, Karen.

Memorials may be sent to Dallas Center United Methodist Church, Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, or to Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, IA. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Irene passed on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at the Dallas Center United Methodist Church, 1504 Walnut St., Dallas Center, IA with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton, IA with visitation to follow at Wesley United Methodist Church, 516 2nd Ave. in Vinton, IA.

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