Joyce M. Kramer
January 4, 2017Share using:
Joyce M. Kramer, 60 of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2017 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics following a courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 8th, 2017 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. Private family service with burial in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Petersburg, Iowa.
Joyce was born on June 7th, 1956 in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Gerald and Velma (Hullerman) Kramer. She graduated from Western Dubuque High School in 1974 and attended Ottumwa Heights College in Ottumwa, Iowa.
On October 16, 1982 she married William “Bill” Murray and together they had one son Jay. They later divorced, but remained close friends. Joyce later met Dale Lenz and enjoyed the last 17 years together.
She worked for Grand River Medical Group and Dubuque Endoscopy Center.
Joyce enjoyed attending antique car shows, especially East Dubuque Graffiti Nights with her 1972 Cutlass. Her son Jay, was her life and family was most important. She loved family get togethers, reunions and spending time with her nieces and nephews. Joyce and Dale loved to shop for antiques. Joyce loved to attend all family events, tailgating and watching Iowa State football games. She enjoyed walking her dogs Sassy and Max. Joyce made the best cakes (carrot and German chocolate) in Dubuque County, and her cherry wine was toasted by many.
Her wisdom, joyful smile, and contagious laughter will be missed by many.
She is survived by her son Jay, of Dubuque; special friend, Dale Lenz, of Dubuque; siblings, Janet (Ed) Day, of New Berlin, WI, Lynn (Steve) Galvin, of Moline, IL, Caril (Bruce) Clasen, of Minneapolis, MN, Ellen (Jim) Funcke, of Coralville, Iowa, Dean (Deb) Kramer, of Swisher, Iowa, Neil (Ellen) Kramer, of Dyersville, Iowa, LeeAnn (Mike) Gentry, of Hamilton, Ohio, Reyne (Don) Koopmann, of Epworth, Iowa, Phil (Jessica) Kramer, of Solon, Iowa; her former husband Bill Murray, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; the Lenz family, Dee (Terry) Schilling, Denny Lenz (Jennifer Turner), Dianne (Jack) Brehm, and David (Cindy) Lenz. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and her dogs Sassy and Max.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew John Kramer.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital or to Iowa Donor Network.
The family would like to thank Dr. Amy Ewen, Dr. Jean Marie Stephan ad Team; Dr. Timothy Thomsen and the staff at the University of Iowa Hospital; and to all the Dubuque doctors who helped Joyce through this courageous battle.
