David Joseph Kraemer

Heaven called to Dave Kraemer on Sunday, January 5, 2025 while vacationing with his wife in the Hawaiian Islands.
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David (Dave) Joseph Kraemer was born August 3, 1939 to Anthony and Clara (Fessler) Kraemer of Mt. Angel, Oregon. Dave and his seven siblings grew up on the family farm in Mt. Angel. There was no such thing as a lazy day on the farm, but Dave had such fond memories of the shenanigans with his brothers, cousins, and friends around Mt. Angel. Dave attended St. Mary's Public School and graduated in 1957 from Mt. Angel Preparatory School.
Dave married Joanne (Pirkl) on January 27, 1968 at St. James Church in Molalla, Oregon. Directly after their wedding, Dave & Joanne moved to McMinnville, and bought their lifelong business, Kraemer's Garden Center and raised their family. The business started as a small produce market and is still thriving today some 57 years later in the same location operated by their son (Karl Kraemer) and his family. Dave was a very meticulous business person, never using a computer but preferring to use his ledger books instead. He was a founding member of the NNBA (Northwest Nursery Buyers Association) back in 1983. Today this association consists of about 125 independently owned family garden centers across the Pacific Northwest. A true entrepreneur and an amazing business man.
Throughout 56 years of marriage Dave and Joanne shared a deep love for their Catholic faith and have been members of St. James Catholic Church in McMinnville for their entire marriage. Dave was also a long time Knights of Columbus member here. They both enjoyed travel to all 50 states, as well a traveling to many overseas destinations including their last European trip in 2022 to Poland, Czechoslovakia and Germany with Father Zani. In Germany they saw the Passion show that is held once every 10 years. During the past few years, Dave & Joanne's travels were closer to home and they enjoyed the warm sunshine in their Arizona home and an annual trip to the Hawaiian Islands.
Dave enjoyed hunting with his sons and brothers on numerous trips throughout Oregon, Canada and Alaska. In the great outdoors, Dave's pride and joy would be the property he owned & tended since his kids were very young – family and friends know this as "High Heaven". A place where we could all gather for picnics, fish in the stocked pond, or play in the water. Dave especially loved to gather here with his grandkids and prided in driving them around the property to point out his handy work.
Dave is survived by his loving wife, Joanne, of 56 years (just shy of 57 years); brother, Alan Kraemer; sister Shirley Petersen; four children and their spouses: Diane (Curt) Shenk, Lynn (Randy) Reeves, Bert (Kristy) Kraemer, Karl (Kim) Kraemer, along with 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Clara Kraemer; sisters, Virgene Stafford, Sr. Eileen Kraemer, Lorayne Zimmerman and Joyce Basl; brother, Harold Kraemer.
A life well lived! Services will be held Friday, January 31st at St. James Catholic Church in McMinnville, beginning with the Rosary at 10:30am and funeral mass at 11:00am. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. James Catholic School, McMinnville, Oregon.