Menomonee Falls, WI - Lou Ann Kramer was known for her incredible smile, positive outlook on life, big heart and being the Rock of her family. She marched to the beat of a different drum and was NOT boring! She died on January 27, 2026 of old age. 

Lou Ann was born on March 23, 1935 in Port Washington WI to Arthur John Watry and Louise Dorothy Leinss. Lou Ann's father died (pleurisy & pneumonia) when she was 4 years old. The family (mother Louise, sister Rita, brother Art) moved to Milwaukee in 1940. 

Lou Ann attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School from 1st to 8th grades and then on to Pius XI High School. Lou Ann's mother married Walter Christensen in 1948. Lou Ann continued her education at Marquette University for 2 years. Her next stop in life was at the Schlitz Brewery where she worked as Executive Secretary to the head of the purchasing department. She also met the man who would become her husband for the next 65 years: William "Bill" Kramer. They married October 20, 1956. Together, first in Milwaukee then in Menomonee Falls, WI, they raised four children in the small ranch home they lived in for 64 years. Their home would be the family meeting place for birthdays, holidays and special events for 64 years.

Lou Ann and Bill camped with friends and family in northern WI for many years (their campfire sing-a-longs with the accordion accompaniment are legendary). When their kids got older, they gave up camping and travelled the country by tour bus, visiting most every State and National Park.

Lou Ann is survived by: her brother Art; son, Jeffrey (Jodi Pahs); daughter, Connie (Steve Felhofer); son, Steven (Ellen Weiler); daughter, Diane (Tony Weiss); grandchildren: Nicole (DJ Bauer), Daniel (Angela), Stacy (Chris Silvestrini), Jackie (Dave Burhans), Joseph (Carly Laper), Amanda (Tony Oswald), Taylor (Martin Mueller), Rachel, Henry, Oscar, Chris, Cory (Kelsey Hagstrom), Ryan, Heather, and great-grandchildren: Colin, Evelyn, Finley, Josie, Olivia, Leo, Lydia, Evan, Rain, Elliana and Martin.

Lou Ann was preceded in death by her parents Louise and Arthur Watry and her great-granddaughter Lucy and her husband Bill.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home in Menomonee Falls (N84W17937 Menomonee Ave) from 12pm until 2pm. Eulogy and time of sharing will begin at 2pm.  A burial ceremony at Sunnyside Cemetery (19011 W. Main Street Lannon WI) will be held at a future date.

The family would like to give thanks to the entire staff at The Arboretum and Vitas Hospice for the care and compassion they provided in Lou Ann's last days.