Douglas Kramer, 72, a resident of Jamestown, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2019. Douglas was born November 19, 1947, in Eureka, South Dakota, to Martha and Vernon Kramer, Douglas had a happy childhood and adolescence in Wishek, North Dakota. He graduated from Wishek High School, briefly attended North Dakota State University, and then graduated from Valley City State Teacher's College in Valley City, North Dakota in 1971. Always fascinated by faith and issues of faith, he also briefly attended the Christian Training Institute in Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada. He could quote scripture along with the most seasoned of preachers.

As a young child, he and his sister, Geraldine, were "two peas in a pod." Once, while their mom and dad were at a volunteer Wishek Fire Department meeting, the two of them accidentally set fire to the house while holding a birthday party for their pet turtle. Later, while in high school, he often went on overnight camping and hunting trips with his buddies, driving up to Red Lake in his dad's Studebaker 55 Champion, sometimes with his younger brother Clyde in tow.

Douglas spent a few years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after graduating from college. There, he worked briefly for Briggs and Stratton and spent time with his sister, Geraldine Wanner, and oldest nieces before returning to Northern Minnesota, where he worked at a youth camp and led excursions into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Eventually an Uncle to 10 nieces and nephews, all have fond memories of Doug's love for life, knack for connecting with children and animals, and jovial laugh.

Douglas was an avid outdoor enthusiast who reveled in the beauty of nature and God's creation. He enjoyed kayaking and canoeing the rivers of Wisconsin and Northern Minnesota and especially loved camping in the forests of Michigan. A fan of John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, Doug would often quote poetry about nature, delight in the song of the Meadowlark, or marvel at the beauty of his favorite flower, in particular the Pasque flower and the wild Prairie rose. He lived John Muir's call to "do something for wildness and make the mountains glad." He was also passionate about preserving the North Dakota virgin prairie, referring to it just hours before he fell acutely ill and passed away.

After spending time in Milwaukee and other places, Douglas eventually returned to Wishek and helped on the family farm, working with his younger brothers, Clyde and Robert Kramer, to combine and bale the crops while their father, Vernon Kramer, spent his time at Kramer Implements. Douglas remained in Wishek for many years after he stopped actively farming.

As an adult, Douglas battled schizo-affective disorder and severe depression, oft-misunderstood mental illnesses. However, he continued to pursue his love of music, particularly playing the piano and singing, performing Ave Maria and Ít is Well with My Soul as recently as a few years ago at the memorial service of a former school teacher who had heard him sing. He also an occasional performer in various cities where he lived, whether it be at coffee shops in Ely, Minnesota or at the senior center and nursing homes in Jamestown, regaling the audience with his deep bass and passion for music. Among his favorite composers were Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach. He also loved opera, which often brought him to tears.

Like in many things, Douglas was exceptionally detailed-oriented, even as a farmer. He had a photographic memory and was full of knowledge. He used public radio and books as a bridge to deeper knowledge, current events, documentaries, and culinary interests. He'd often tell his sister, Geraldine, that he'd escape the trials of this world by imagining he was sipping an international coffee at a restaurant in France or Italy. He also felt a connection to the black forest cake pictured in his oft-referenced international cookbook, which to him symbolized a connection to his ancestors in the black forest area of Germany. He also enjoyed reminiscing about his mom's kitchen and the different things she'd cook for her four children.

Douglas reveled in his German Russian heritage, teaching himself German as an adult, shooting the breeze and telling German jokes, reminiscing about the "good old days," and doing spot-on impersonations of his dad's shop-mates or well-known Wishek elders. He is now in a place where he can shoot the breeze and tell German jokes with his uncle Pete Hagel and his dad's shop-mate George Herr, as well as numerous jovial Bertch uncles.

Douglas also had a great appreciation for women and their accomplishments. He would say, "Forgive me if I'm repeating myself! I like to tell people that my name is Douglas Bertsch Breitling Dietrich Kramer! I feel all the maiden names of my grandmothers and my mother deserved to be mentioned!" At one time he had this full name on his outgoing voicemail message. He also felt that women made excellent world leaders.

Douglas was preceded in death by his father and mother, Vernon and Martha Kramer. He is survived by his three siblings: Geraldine Wanner (married to Vernon Wanner), of Ormond Beach, Florida; his brother Clyde Kramer (married to Cindy Kramer), of Wishek, North Dakota; and his youngest brother Robert Kramer (married to Janel Kramer), of Wahpeton, North Dakota. He is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in the coming weeks in Wishek for close family.

In closing, Douglas was, at heart, a gentle soul. His sense of humor, boisterous laugh, love of nature, and kind spirit will be remembered. His family will always be grateful to the many people in Wishek who looked past his personal appearance and mental illness and treated him with compassion and respect.