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Thomas Herbert Kramer

May 20, 1935 – January 8, 2013

South Bend - Thomas Herbert Kramer passed away Tuesday, January 08, 2013 surrounded by his wife of 55 years, seven children and their spouses, 19 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.  Tom’s life was one that was truly anchored in his family and service to others. 

Tom was born May 20, 1935 in Fort Wayne, IN as the youngest of six siblings born to Ray and Agnes Kramer.   Upon graduation from Cardinal Stritch high school in Chicago, IL, Tom moved back to Fort Wayne to work for Deister Machine where he met Mary Margaret Galuoppo.  Tom pestered her for several dates and Mary continually refused.  When Mary went to her first Catholic Youth Organization event and saw Tom at the same function, she knew God had a plan.  After a 1 year courtship, Mary accepted Tom’s marriage proposal.

On November 28, 1957, Tom married Mary at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Fort Wayne.  This was the beginning of a beautiful and enduring family, strengthened by love, faith, devotion, commitment, sacrifice, and humor.   Chris was the first born, followed by Matt, Jim, John, Tom, Anthony, and Daddy’s little girl, Michele.

Tom worked days and attended college at night.  During college Tom became interested in caring for the elderly through nursing home administration and Tom became the 11th licensed administrator in the state of Indiana.   

Tom’s life was characterized by a commitment to others in his career, his volunteer activities, and his home.  As a nursing home administrator, Tom served the needs of families who entrusted the care of their loved ones to him.  As a volunteer, Tom was actively involved in his community and his church, serving the less fortunate through the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, his congregation at Holy Cross Church as a cantor and as an office assistant at the Sister Maura Brannick Health Center.  He performed all those activities with humility and the inspiration he found in his faith.  In his home, he was a loving, devoted and generous husband and father who, even with his manifold activities, always had time to nurture, educate, and inspire his family through his generous counsel, humor, patience, and example.

Tom loved sports and was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, the Fighting Irish, and Indiana University.  He enjoyed a good cigar, was an avid reader, a great conversationalist, and an accomplished humorist.  He asked nothing for himself other than the good of others around him.

In addition to his wife, Mary; children, Chris (Valerie), Matthew (Colette), James (Robin), John (Cathie), Thomas (Mary), Anthony (Ruth), Michele (Steve) Lowe; 19 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, Tom is survived by several nieces and nephews.  

Visitation for Thomas will be held from 2:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, January 11, 2013 in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. where a Rosary will be prayed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013 in the Cathedral of St. Matthew Catholic Church.  Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mary asks for memorial donations in Tom’s name to Saint Matthew’s Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, IN 46613 and Sister Maura Brannick Health Center, 326 Chapin Street, South Bend, Indiana 46601.