Jennie Kramer

Jennie Kramer, who celebrated her 100th birthday last December died at home in Allentown on Friday, April 9, 2021, where she resided with her daughter Bree and partner Scott. Married 69 years, she was the wife of Walter William Kramer who pre-deceased her in 2011. The second of four daughters of the late Anna (Procak) and Jacob Kowalczk, Jennie was a 1938 graduate of Nazareth High School where she was in the glee club, played baseball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, and hockey and played the violin in the orchestra, and was a member of Conductor “Earl Held’s All Girl Band” playing the base drum. Jennie was a 1940 graduate of Churchman Business College and employed by the former Chemical Mfg. & Dist. Co. and the former Wigton-Abbot Corp from 1940 to 1943. She helped run husband Walt’s Court Restaurant on Hamilton St. in Allentown from 1949 to 1956 where she typed daily Menus for every day’s fare such as “clam chowder for 15 cents”, “broiled halibut for 75 cents”, and spare ribs and sauer kraut for 90 cents”. After raising five children, Jennie returned to work always fashionably attired in her professional business suits as an Executive Secretary at the former Allentown Bobbin Works in the 1960’s until retirement. She was a member of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Allentown. Jennie loved to cook and bake, her recipe books, Walt’s garden of flowers and organic vegetables they grew, shopping, flea market finds, and provided never-ending support, loyalty, comfort, and guidance to her ever-growing generations of family. She wrote daily notes, both light-hearted and deeply poignant reflections of her views and values, and frequently sent hundreds of her favorited idioms, quotes and poems to her beloved family that expressed optimism, good will, and wisdom. She will be remembered by so many in her long life as always wearing a smile, never a complaint, sharing her adorable sense of humor, and always extending genuine tender-hearted kindnesses to all she met. Jennie’s deep and enduring love for her family and God was evident in her every word and her every action. Heaven sure is lucky to get this one! Grieving their loss are Jennie’s children, daughter Cheryl Kramer, daughter Brenda (Bree) Jensen and partner Scott Stoneback, and son William Kramer. Jennie was pre-deceased by daughter Christine in 2005, and son Jonathan in 1962. Grandchildren Tyler Hedglin, David (Nevin) Hedglin II, Stephano Odierno and Marcus Odierno. Great-grandchildren Yasenia Hedglin Escobedo, David Hedglin III, Arabela Zumba Hedglin, Brody Odierno and Poppy Odierno. Great-great-grandchildren Cassia Escobedo, Elena Escobedo, and Jaxson Hedglin. Sister Miriam Nielson. Jennie was pre-deceased by sister Anne Marshall and Sophie Slavish. Calling hours are from 9am to 10am on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 16th and Hamilton Sts. Allentown. Masks must be worn. A Divine Liturgy service will be held at 10:30am at St Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1031 Fullerton Ave, Allentown. Masks must be worn. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery next to the church. Flowers are welcome. Donations to St Luke’s Hospice c/o Development Office, 801 Ostrum St. Bethlehem, PA 18015 are appreciated.