Frances M. Kramer, 88, of Seneca, KS, died Friday, September 29, 2000, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. She had been ill with emphysema.

She was born February 11, 1912, on a farm southwest of Seneca, the daughter of Frank C. and Josephine Burdick Strathman. When she was a young child, she moved with her family to a farm south of Baileyville. She attended Center School and Sacred Heart School at Baileyville.

On January 20, 1937, she married Edwin Kramer at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. He survives of the home. They lived and farmed on the Henry Kramer homestead southeast of Seneca, which is their present home. They celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.

During the 1950s Frances worked as a cook at the Gilford Hotel in Seneca. She also made many wedding cakes for people in the area. She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church, and the Loyal Christian Benevolent Association, all in Seneca. She volunteered as a worker at the Mission Center for over 20 years in Seneca, and was the last living charter member of the Q.A.F. Club, a rural women’s club that will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year. Frances made comforters for her family and friends. Her family was her pride and joy.

Survivors besides her husband Edwin are two sons, Lynn Kramer of Topeka and Dick Kramer of Pueblo, CO; three daughters, Diane Rottinghaus of Seneca, Karen Hawkins of Arma, KS, and Janet Ossiander of Topeka; two brothers, Adrian and Galen Strathman, both of Seneca; three sisters, Agatha Strathman and Darlene Haug, both of Seneca and Mary Kay Fangman of Topeka; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Eldon Kramer on April 12, 1987, two sisters, Eileen Strathman and Berniece Strathman, and two brothers Sylvester and Joseph H. Strathman.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Monday, October 2, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, and sent in care of the family.