Charles Russell Kramer

Charles “Russ” Russell Kramer, 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 11, 2007 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, May 10, 2007 at Coffelt's Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division Ave., in Sandpoint. Russ was born in Jordan, Montana, May 10, 1931, to Charles Kermit and Myrtle Kramer. He lived in Montana till the age of 10. The family then moved to Utah and spent 4 years, moving to Sandpoint, Idaho in 1945 where he attended local schools. He received his GED in 1986 at the age of 55. Russ married Pat Turner and with this union they had four children, Judy, Jeannie, Doug, and Brad. He worked at local sawmills and logged with the locals, who became lifetime friends. He loved working in the woods and at the local sawmills. He worked for the Pack River Company and with the local loggers. He later married Janis Osborne and in this union they had three children, Jana, Brian and Kurt. In 1964 after Anchorage’s big earthquake Russ and friends headed “North” which began a 20 year adventure in the “Last Frontier”. He joined The Alaska Ironworkers local 751. Russ worked many construction jobs, the Alaska pipeline and the Valdez Terminal to name a few. Russ then married Jacqueline Mortenson and in this union they had one child, Jordan. In the mid 80’s Russ began his life with his friend and companion Tamara Wesselman and they married in 1988. In 1987 they moved to Parma, Idaho. Russ then spent his precious life enjoying their pheasant hunts, fishing, growing his garden “famous for tomatoes and watermelons.” In Parma they also enjoyed visits from family and friends for whom the door was always open. Russ had a deep passion for a good ol’ poker game and a game of pool. Russ and Tammy would make many trips each year to their roots in Sandpoint and to Spokane. They also enjoyed their spontaneous trips to Nevada. Russ fought his last courageous fight when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2003. Tammy then brought him home to Sandpoint, Idaho in 2006. Russ was a member of the NRA, Ironworkers local 751 and a lifetime member of the Elks in Sandpoint. He is survived by his wife, Tammy “Bones” Kramer, his children; Judy Choat, Jeannie (and Earl Shackelford) Kramer, Doug Kramer, Bradley Kramer, Brian Kramer, Kurt (and Liz) Kramer, and Jordan Kramer; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren also step grandchildren; his 4 sister’s Roma “Kiki” Kramer; Barbara Sphar ; Martha (and Gene) Hollenbeck; Carol (and Kim)Anderson of Spokane, WA; his brother Jerry (and Wink) Kramer; his mother and father in-law Ed and Paddy Wesselman; 3 brother in-laws Ed Jr. Wesselman; Jim Wesselman; Dougie Wesselman; a sister- in-law Cyndi Sutliff; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; his one uncle Erval Rainey and 2 aunts Faye Rainey and Ruth Keyser who loved him dearly as well as many dear dear friends, who kept in touch through out the years. Russ was preceded in death by his parents and 1 daughter Jana Gay as well as numerous Aunts and Uncles.