Hays F. "Kay" Kramer

Hays F. "Kay" Kramer 1921 ~ 2011 Hays F. "Kay" Kramer, 90, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2011 in Boise. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Msgr. Andy Schumacher at St. John's Cathedral on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Hays was born on April 24, 1921, in Carlisle, PA. He joined the U.S. Army at an early age and was eventually assigned to Camp Adair in Salem, OR, during World War II. Although his first name was Hays, many people knew him as "Kay" or simply as "Kramer". He married Helen Rivord in 1944 and they moved to Boise the same year. After working at various jobs, he became an auto mechanic for Dufresne Auto - a job that suited his mechanical abilities but not his love of the outdoors. He finally settled on becoming a mail carrier with the U.S. Post Office. Kay Kramer was known as the whistling postman, cheerily walking his mail routes, most of which were in Boise's old North End neighborhoods. He loved children and had quite a "following" on his routes, due in part to his habit of distributing candy from his mail bag. After retiring in 1975, Kay spent many happy hours fishing, camping, and helping those less fortunate. He and his wife started the first food bank at St. John's and worked tirelessly for many years to provide sacks of groceries to the homeless and the poor. He took pride in being able to repair ailing cars and was disappointed as more computerized components in automobiles rendered his skills less helpful. Soon after his retirement, he discovered a new hobby when he began crafting items out of wood, often scrap wood that he found or was given. He made doll cradles and rocking chairs for his grandchildren, and hundreds of other items to donate to the Women of St. John's annual Christmas bazaar. No one could visit his home without being given a wooden bird house, a puzzle, or other handcrafted item. He was still sawing and sanding, gluing and painting wood during the last weeks of his life. Kay held strong opinions on virtually every topic and regularly shared them with anyone who would listen. Underneath his crusty exterior, though, was a generous heart that moved him to help anyone in need. His little North End home was open to many who needed a temporary place to stay, including many of his nieces and nephews as well as foreign exchange students, pregnant teens, and BSU students. We pray that all the good he did will be rewarded and all the rest be forgiven. Kay was preceded in death by his wife Helen; his parents; and a brother and sister. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, MaryLou and Bill Molitor; grandchildren, Michelle Wonacott (Jay), Teresa Molitor, Michael Molitor (Greta), and Mark Molitor; as well as six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by family members in Pennsylvania, including Joyce Kramer Black, Donna Kramer Foss and her daughters. To share memories with the family please visit Kay's memorial webpage online at www.CloverdaleFuneralHome.com.