Mary was born on May 13, 1909, in Woonsocket, South Dakota, the daughter of Bernard and Franzisca Braukmann. She attended school in the Butler township of Minnesota. She received excellent grades but was not able to attend high school. She later earned her diploma in 1965.
In 1929 she moved to Milwaukee. She worked as a nurse's aide, a seamstress, and a switchboard operator for the telephone company. She left Wisconsin to work in Milbank, South Dakota at the Cafe St. Hubert, starting her lifelong culinary career. She also served as the dean of the Milbank High School women's dormitory.
Mary met George Cramer at a local dance. She immediately knew this man was someone special and they were wed on June 3, 1935.
They moved to Verboort, Oregon in 1949. They built the “green house on the corner” where they lived for many happy years. Mary loved to entertain, whether it be a Thankgiving feast or a Hawaiian luau.
Mary continued to work in food service as the cook at the Verboort school. She was also the housekeeper for the rectory. In 1956, she started to work for Tektronix until her retirement 15 years later.
She loved to travel. After retiring, she spent a summer as a cook in Yellowstone National Park just for the adventure of it. Other trips included journeys across the U.S., the Holy Lands, and Hawaii. She made an especially rewarding journey to Germany with her sister Gertie.
In 1997, Mary moved to Creekside Retirement Residence in Beaverton, Oregon. She quickly became known as Aunt Mary to other residents and the staff because of her supportive and caring nature.
Mary will be greatly missed by her siblings Bill, Gertie and Frank, as well as countless relatives and friends.
Mary filled her life with memories of happy times, such as falling in love with George, as well as sad times, when she buried two infant sons. She never lost her ability to bring joy and laughter into our lives, with a joke, a story, some food, or her ever present smile.
God blessed Mary with a heart full of compassion, sensitivity, optimism and love. She and influenced generations just by being herself...
The family would like to encourage remembrances to the Sacred Art of Living Center, 20751 Will Scarlet Lane, Bend, OR 97702