Obituaries

Clyde L. Kramer

Clyde L. Kramer, 76, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away on June 3, 2014, at his home. He was born on March 9, 1938, to the late Milton M. Kramer and Anna Mae H. Kramer in Elkader, Iowa. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sandy L. Kramer, and together they had a blended family of five children, Valerie Hanson of Onalaska, Wis., Jim Smith of Boston, Mass., Lisa and husband, Michael, of Waverly, Iowa, Jackie and husband, Grant, of Anchorage, Alask, and Jeffrey and wife, Shawn, of Midland, Mich.; two brothers, Milt Kramer and wife, Joanne, of Manchester, Iowa, and Robert Kramer of Elkader, Iowa; 14 grandchildren, Bryan Hanson, Kevin Hanson and wife, Kendra, Bradley Hanson, Jim Smith II, Jarad Smith, Joshua Smith, Lindsay Kukral and husband, Wyatt, Sean, Jessa, Ravyn, Jade, Austin, Bryce and Chance; three great-grandchildren, Oscar, Everett and Penelope; aunts, nieces and many cousins. He grew up in Elkader, Iowa, and received his BA degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, his MA degree from Truman University in Kirksville, Mo., and his EdD from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was a teacher/coach for nine years in Winthrop, Iowa, Monona, Iowa, and Decorah, Iowa, a high school principal for seven years in Marion, Iowa, a community college vice-president for 14 years in Des Moines, Iowa, and a community college president for 10 years, with campuses in Calmar and Dubuque, Iowa. He was proud of his 40 years as an educator, all in the state of Iowa, and his 17 years as a college and high school basketball and track official. He and his wife, Sandy, moved to Bella Vista after his retirement in 2000, and lived on Loch Lomond Lake until 2010 until they moved to their residence on 4 Kilsyth Drive. He was an active fisherman, boater, swimmer, gardener and golfer. He was a former member of the Lion's Club, Elks Club and Rotary Club. He loved playing golf with the Missing Links and Thumpers, was a Benton County Master Gardener (Class of 2005) and was a past president of the Bella Vista Welcome Club from 2002-2003. He started every meeting by "Setting-the-Tone" and ended every meeting with his "Thought for the Day" which was enjoyed by all. Clyde enjoyed working at the University of Arkansas indoor and outdoor track meets for a number of years. He was an active member of the Bella Vista Community Church. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed his career as an educator and loved to see his students succeed in life. Celebration of Life services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2014, at the Bella Vista Community Church, with Pastor Jeff Reed officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bella Vista Animal Shelter or the Bella Vista Community Church. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.

Published June 10, 2014

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