Obituary for Estella “Jannie” Kramer

Estella “Jannie” Kramer

March 30, 1942 – August 7, 2019

Estella Jane “Jannie”(Duckworth) Kramer, 77, of Stillwater, formerly of Orlando, OK, passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at Grace Living Center in Stillwater, OK.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Orlando Christian Church in Orlando, OK with Pastor Bill Smith officiating. Following the celebration, there will be a luncheon and activities in the Fellowship Hall with family and friends. She will be taken to her final resting place at Bocox Cemetery in Orlando, OK. Arrangements under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry.

Jannie was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma on March 30, 1942 to Jack and Doris Rae (Stagner) Duckworth. As a child, some of her fondest memories were at her grandparents and great grandparents homestead west of Orlando. With her sister Betty and cousins, Rosalie, Archie, Leeroy, Gary, Glen, and later, Luann and Johnny they would spend days doing what kids did in that day while they all lived together with their mothers while their daddies were at war. Later, Jannie moved to Kansas and graduated from 8th grade in Ulysses. The first three years of high school was a special time for her and her sister as the two would ride the bus to downtown Tulsa where their mother worked most every Saturday. Jannie graduated from Lindsey High School and married Harlan “Gene” Bell December 25, 1959 at the Methodist church in Lindsey, Ok.

The family moved to Salinas, California and established a home near her father’s sisters. In 1969 Jannie married James “Jimmy” Duke Kramer. During the years of being a full time mom Jannie continued her education, attending Hartnell College. Being active in all her childrens activities she was a Girl Scout and Scout leader, soccer and tball coach, supporting her children in motorcross, band, flags, baton, swimming and dance. She was the neighborhood Mom with nicknames of Mom, Grandma Mom and Aunt Jannie. She was always upbeat and positive; her smile and laughter was contagious, encouraging and loved by all. She will be missed by so many.

Jannie was a lifelong employee of Pacific Bell, where she worked her way from a telephone operator to almost every position possible until returning to Oklahoma. More recently working for Stillwater Walmart and Falco Alarm Company, She loved to spend time with her closest friend Pat and families at the L&J Restaurant. Weekend trips to the beach and river was always a highlight. Arroyo Seco knew her well, as Monterey, Carmel and Santa Cruz Bays, later Catalina Island. Driving the coast or anywhere in her little purple TR-7 was always a good day! Jannie had many hobbies and interests besides her children, family, friends and pets. She was a lover of all music with dancing at heart. She was a seamstress with a knack for making and mending anything. Crocheting most anything and teaching others, she loved crossword puzzles, pencil art, solitaire and reading a good novel. She could make any craft you could imagine. Her homemade cooking was the best around and she always looked forward to large family gatherings. Jannie was a member of the United Methodist Church and enjoyed visiting the Christian Church and Life church with her family. Her joy was always her children, grandchildren and her companion Baby.

Survivors include her children; Son Harlan (Willow) Bell of Moore, OK: Daughters Nina Floyd and companion Baby of Stillwater, Ok, Mellanie (Tony) Patak of Orlando, OK: Brenda (Mike) Fukuda of El Segundo, CA: Cynthia (Larry) Zimmer of Morrison, OK; Grandchildren: Marriya (Terry) Wright, Lourie (Josh) Bays, Stephanie Harrell, David (Amanda) Harrell, Jarrod (Megan) Harrell, Amanda Thebo, Lydia Uhrig, Olivia (Dustin) Warden, Krystal Bell, Abigail and Ethan Floyd, Maddison and Scott Fukuda, Eli Patak, Nicholas and Serenity Zimmer, Jayce and Leora Bell; 31 great-grandchildren, 2 and 2 on the way great-great-grandchildren, Sister Betty (Jack) Fishburn and Aunt Billie Johnson.

Jannie was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, sister Jacquelyn, son James Scott Kramer and great grandson Lucas Ryder Harrell.

Honorary casket bearers will be her grandsons: David Harrell, Jarrod Harrell, Ethan Floyd, Nicholas Zimmer, Scott Fukuda, Eli Patak, and her great grandsons.

The family would like to thank the doctors, healthcare providers and everyone who helped care for our mother. Our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice in care of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N. 7th St, Perry, Oklahoma 73077.

Source: Trout Funeral Home