Martin J. “Marty” Kramer JR, 78, or Stratford, entered into his Savior’s arms on March 15, 2025 at North Central Health Center in Wausau.
Marty’s life will be celebrated in memorial services held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Cornerstone Community Church in Marshfield. Pastor Andy Kvernen will be officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather for a time of visitation at the church on Saturday from 9 AM until time of services.
Marty was born in Wausau on July 5, 1946 to Martin George and Theresa Marie (Shirek) Kramer. He attended Stratford Schools and excelled in playing basketball and baseball. He then went on to graduate from Medford Teacher’s College and Northland College in Ashland where he obtained his bachelor's degree in education and once again starred in basketball and baseball.
As a young man Marty’s eyes were opened by God to the truth of the Gospel, and he placed his complete faith in Jesus Christ for his salvation which became the foundation and focal point for his life. On June 5, 1976, he was united in marriage to Lynette Marie Fast in Dallas, Oregon who became the love of his life.
After teaching physical education and coaching for 11 years in Southern, Wisc. Marty and his family moved back to Stratford and he taught Chapter 1 reading and math in Colby. He was an active member in the community and in his church where he taught children’s classes, was the leader of the AWANA’s program for children, and later on, became a board member and leader of Bible studies at Marshfield Cornerstone Church.
With Marty’s passion for sports, he developed his talent into coaching various youth sports through the years including his own children’s teams. He had the knack for bringing the best out athletically in kids, achieving many victories, which led Marty to be inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame for well over four hundred wins in his coaching career; yet he was more concerned with their character for life.
He also loved supporting his children in college sports and other events. Marty enjoyed traveling with his wife and family; hobby farming; walking on country roads; and concocting anything chocolate. He had a love for many kinds of music, especially oldies played on the record player. It delighted him to spend time with his many, fun grandchildren. Summer was a time for Marty to head up north to the cabin and enjoy God’s great outdoors and then later on hit the county and state fairs.
The twilight years of Marty’s life were definitely not easy with his Parkinson’s and dementia increasing, but he always knew who God was in his life, and his eyes would always light up whenever Lynette would enter the room; he knew her till the end. They shared a special bond in those frequent visits and outings; many planned by North Central Health Center. We are so thankful for the extra caring staff.
His memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of his family, including his loving wife, Lynette; his daughters, Shereen (Lynn) Wolters of Elko, MN, Shawna (Jeff) Buck of Stratford and Andrea (Dustin) Hinkle of Cottage Grove, MN; his son, Matthew (Amanda) Kramer of Shoreview, MN and his 23 grandchildren. He will also be missed by his brothers, Bernard (Pat) Kramer, Roland (Theresa) Kramer, Marcellus (Sue) Kramer, Francis Kramer, Myra Kramer and Richard Kramer and his sister, Darlene (Charles) Machel along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding Marty in death were his parents, Martin and Theresa Kramer; a brother, Arnold Kramer and a granddaughter, Paisley Hinkle.
Marty’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit, www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share wonderful memories or to offer condolences to the family.
