David Lee Kramer

David Lee Kramer, 74, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at his home.

Dave was born on September 2, 1950 to Vincent and Evelyn (Jackson) Kramer in Hampton, Iowa. He was raised on both sets of grandparent’s family farms near Allison and Dumont and attended country school. Dave was a hard worker and while attending school also worked at the local grocery store and at his Uncle Glen’s service station. He graduated from Allison-Bristow High School in 1968. He attended Wartburg College and later graduated from Hawkeye Community College with his associate degree in automotive technology. He met his wife, Linda, in Waverly and they wed in August of 1972. For the next twenty years, he operated two service stations in town and became the Transportation Director for the Waverly-Shell Rock School District. Dave moved to Johnston, Iowa, in 1991 and his family joined him the following year, where he worked for the Johnston Community School District as Transportation Director for over 15 years. Dave also served as Executive Director of the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association for several years, highlighting his passion for bus driver education and child safety.

Dave cherished his family and relished being a father to daughters, Kelli and Kristi. He enjoyed summer vacations, Sunday dinners, and any time spent with Linda, his daughters, sons-in-law, and his grandsons, Oscar and Alton.

Dave had a lifelong love of music. He grew up singing at church with his father and learned to play the guitar in his early teens. He played in several bands and formed lasting friendships through music. As a young adult, he built and modified cars for drag racing. He was always tinkering, washing, or waxing – whether family cars, buses, or riding lawn tractors. Dave was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, loved watching Iowa and Iowa State sports, enjoyed road trips to National Parks, and exploring new cities. He was also a history buff. Dave was a member of St. James Lutheran Church and throughout his life, he relied on his strong faith, which brought him reassurance and peace in his final days.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Kramer; daughters, Kelli (Timothy) O’Leary of West Des Moines and Kristi (Nathan) Thiese of Urbandale; grandsons, Oscar and Alton Thiese; sister, Jean (Ron) Davis of Geneva; Linda’s sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; Jackson and Kramer cousins; and many dear friends.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Evelyn.

Visitation will be held from 4-6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. James Lutheran Church, 5665 Merle Hay Road in Johnston, IA. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, also at the church. The funeral service can be streamed live via the church’s website (www.stjamesjohnston.org/).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) – Food Pantry Network (dmarcunited.org) or to St. James Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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