Obituary

Lucille (Lucy) Edna Kramer, was born on September 29, 1928 on a farm at St. Benedict, Kansas, daughter of Leo and Anna (Fangman) Haverkamp. She passed away in Goodyear, Arizona on November 25, 2020, at the age of 92.

Lucille married Bernard Joseph Kramer on February 12, 1949. They farmed south of Baileyville, Kansas where they raised turkeys, cattle, wheat and corn. Lucille and Bernard also lived in Sabetha, Kansas for a short time where Bernard hauled milk and Lucy worked part-time at an egg factory and an A & W Drive Inn. The family then moved to Crawford, Nebraska where they operated their first bowling center. In 1966, the family moved to Aurora, Nebraska where they owned and operated Mapleway Lanes for forty years. Lucy loved to bowl and participated in over 30 State and National Bowling Tournaments. One of her accomplishments was ending up in second place in the All Events Division at a National Bowling Tournament. She taught many young kids to bowl by starting the first Junior League in Aurora. Lucy enjoyed the times when her grandchildren would come stay with her and Bernard. Lucy was never one to sit idle and started working part-time at the age of 72 at Dream Designs Bridal in Aurora where she worked for ten years. After the death of her husband in 2012, Lucille moved to live with her oldest daughter, Grace, in Goodyear, Arizona. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo and jewelry making. Lucille and Bernard were married for 63 years.

Lucy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aurora, Nebraska, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and Christ Child Society of Phoenix.

Lucy was a strong woman who met challenges given to her in life. She managed her diabetes for 46 years and underwent bypass surgery in 2000. She had a strong belief in God and always prayed for others. Lucy enjoyed taking girl trips with her daughters to various places in the United States.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, parents Leo and Anna Haverkamp, siblings, Vincent, Marcellus, and Melvin Haverkamp, and Therese Koch and son-in-law Paul Clayton.

Those left to cherish her memory are three children, Grace Cooper of Goodyear, Arizona; Larry (Judy) Kramer of Omaha, Nebraska; and Joyce Clayton of Goodyear, Arizona; four grandchildren, Brady (Sheila) Clayton of Lincoln, Nebraska; Adam Clayton of Lincoln, Nebraska; Christine and Kelsey Kramer of Omaha, Nebraska; and two great-grandchildren Ella and Miles Clayton of Lincoln, Nebraska. Lucy is also survived by one sister, Leanna (Pat) Baker of Topeka, Kansas; and a sister-in-law Annie Haverkamp of Seneca, Kansas. She has also left behind her favorite little dog, Sparky.

Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 13720 W Thomas Rd, Avondale, AZ on December 10, 2020.  Rosary will start at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m.

Interment will take place in Aurora, Nebraska at a later date.