Jacob "Jake" Kramer

1933 - 2025

Jacob "Jake" Kramer

April 18, 1933 - July 10, 2025

Modesto, California - Jacob "Jake" Kramer, 92, of Modesto, California, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025.

Jake was born in Middleburg, Iowa, to George and Jennie Kramer. He was the seventh of nine children, with six older sisters and two younger brothers. In 1936, the Kramer family moved to Southern California and eventually settled in Modesto in 1945.

In 1953, Jake married Patricia (Pat) Gearing. Together they raised three children: George, Jay, and Karen. After 31 years of marriage, Pat passed away. In 1986, Jake married Peggy Traylor, and they shared 32 years of marriage before Peggy's passing in 2018.

During Jake's career he worked for WR Grace, owned Modesto Foam Products, and was employed by Foster Farms. He was actively involved in the California Feed and Grain Association and the U.S. Grains Council. In the final years of his career, Jake was a consultant in the feed manufacturing industry, traveling extensively both across the United States and internationally.

Jake was a man of faith who loved God deeply and loved his family unconditionally. He enjoyed reading, traveling, watching sports, and bowling.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jennie Kramer; his wives, Patricia and Peggy Kramer; his son, Jay Kramer; son in law Steven Hartsfield; and siblings Jacoba Kramer, Tena Kramer, Josie Vander Plaats, Henrietta Vis, Sylvia Hannink, and John Kramer.

He is survived by his sister, Alice Kootstra; brother, Ted Kramer; children, George Kramer and Karen Hartsfield; daughter-in-law, Jill Kramer; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Reformed Church, 960 El Terino Ave, Modesto, CA 95350.