Rev. Thomas E. Kramer
Deceased: 2011-12-30
Diocese: BISMARCK
Seminary Graduation Year: 1959
ICTE Fall: 1981
The Rev. Thomas E. Kramer passed away on Dec. 30, 2011, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, at the age of 79. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with the Most Rev. David D. Kagan, Bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck, as the main celebrant. The Most Rev. Paul A. Zipfel, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Bismarck, the Most Rev. John F. Kinney, Bishop of St. Cloud, Minn., and the priests of the Diocese of Bismarck will concelebrate. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Thomas Kramer, the son of Romeo and Catherine (Bleth) Kramer, was born Nov. 16, 1932, in Bismarck. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1950 and went on to further his education at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.; St. Jerome’s College, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; and St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. The Rev. Kramer eventually received his License in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy; and his master of arts degree (M.A.) in educational administration from the University of North Dakota. The Rev. Thomas Kramer was ordained to the priesthood on July 13, 1958, at St. Alexius Church in Rome.
The Rev. Kramer’s first diocesan assignment in August 1959 was as an assistant at the Church of Christ the King in Mandan. From there, he went on to serve as a chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Minot. Then he moved to Dickinson, where he was the chaplain at St. Joseph’s Hospital and taught at Trinity High School. In August 1964, he also assumed the duties of Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, a position that he held until January 1973. In September 1966, the Rev. Kramer also became the director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) while assisting and residing at the Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck. In January 1973, the Rev. Kramer was appointed executive secretary of the National Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education in Washington, D.C. and a member of the staff of the USCC National Center of Religious Education/CCD until June 1976. Other diocesan appointments included Director of Vocations from September 1966 to July 1971 and editor of the Dakota Catholic Action from September 1967 to April 1971.
In June 1976, the Rev. Kramer was appointed co-pastor at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck. He remained in this capacity until November 1982, at which time he was appointed pastor. He remained pastor until his retirement on July 1, 2008. From April 1997 until his retirement, the Rev. Kramer also served as Vicar General for the Diocese of Bismarck.
The Rev. Kramer was a deeply prayerful man who loved God and God’s people. Daily Mass and the Rosary centered his life in Christ. Over the years, the Rev. Kramer baptized, married and buried thousands, bringing people to God and God to people. He was a faithful priest.
The Rev. Kramer was known for his active intellect and his passion for knowledge. He loved to read and enjoyed stimulating conversation. He was both pastor and theologian. He had a special place in his heart for Catholic education and had an unflagging desire to hand on the faith to the next generation.
The Rev. Kramer also exhibited a wonderful sense of humor, something he never lost even when his health began to fail. His dry wit and unique smile brought joy to all who knew him. In addition, he was a life-long fabricator of children’s toys and loved to carve beautiful wood pieces that he would generously give to friends and strangers alike. He was a beautiful man and priest and will be greatly missed.
The Rev. Kramer is survived by his sister, Blanche (Donald M.) Woolford, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; a sister-in-law, Bobbi Hagen, Bismarck; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Kramer was preceded in death by his father and mother; one sister, Charlotte Dube; and one brother, Jim Kramer.
