Louis “Lou” Kramer of Eden Valley died Wednesday, Dec, 18, 2024. He was 86. 
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Eden Valley. Visitation will continue one hou prior to services Saturday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Louis Everett Kramer was born Aug. 12, 1938, in Manannah Township to Theodore and Veronica (Foley) Kramer. He married Linda (Ginther) Ruhland on Aug. 19, 1989, at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley.
Lou Kramer, also known as “Sweet Lou,” was frequently found at social events in his community, and he was an avid conversationalist. The people who knew him often would go out of their way to talk to him. It’s not because he was the most amazing storyteller in the western hemisphere. It’s not because you could always rely on him to sit down and have a beer with you. It’s not because he was a master negotiator. It’s not because he came up with the concept of filling ice cream pails full of cookies well before Martha ever did. It’s not because he was the Bobby Flay of breakfast menus. It’s not because he was an elite and passionate farmer. It’s not because he was a subject matter expert in Farmall tractors. it’s not because he was well known in Stearns and Meeker counties for his in-home Wheel of Fortune prowess. It’s not because he was a huge fan of watching a “ball game.” It’s because he was a truly wonderful man who always ha a smile on his face, a selfless father who adored his children, grandchildren, and siblings. When the term “salt of the Earth good people” is entered into a Google search, the first result that appears should be an image of Lou Kramer.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents, wife Linda, sister Jean Haffley, and brothers-in-law Del Matteson and Ron Moen.
He is survived by his children Aaron (and Maria) Ruhland, Jen (and Jeff) Ruhland, Beth (and Larry) Boyle, Ryan (and Lori) Ruhland, Matt (and Michelle) Ruhland, and Kevin Kramer; siblings Sister Margaret Kramer, Sheila Matteson, Charlotte Moen, Dan Kramer, and Jack (and JoAnn) Kramer; brother-in-law Fred Haffley; and grandchildren Nick, Joe, Pete, Olivia, Victor, Jackson, Brady, Claire, and Evie.