Obituary
April 6, 1967 - June 19, 2010
Randy Kramp, 43, a three year survivor of pancreatic cancer, succumbed to complications of treatment. Not wanting to stay in the hospital, he died less than two hours after arriving home via private ambulance with siren and lights flashing, a fitting finish for a proud firefighter.
Randy graduated from East Aurora High School in 1985 and from Lewis University in 1990. Although he enjoyed his employment at the Aurora Airport in aviation maintenance, his proudest accomplishment was joining the Aurora Fire Department in 1994. He was the sixth man in three generations of his family to serve. He was also a paramedic and a member of the Scuba Rescue Team. Boy Scouts always played an important role in Randy's life. It gave him his love and respect for the outdoors and camping. Randy was an Eagle Scout and had recently received a District Merit Award. He was active in Scouts his entire life.
Randy's childhood dream of owning cool lawnmowers (some dreams are smaller than others) came true when he started a part-time lawn mowing service. Another dream of his was to fly and he made that come true when he earned his private pilot's license.
He married his lifemate, Ruth Stammer, on April 6, 2002. They made their home in Aurora but their favorite place to spend time together was at their 'piece of heaven' in Wisconsin. Although life did not allow them time to build a cabin, the plans they made around the campfire or floating on their boat are happy memories for Ruth. Randy was an active member of St. Rita of Cascia Church, the Phoenix Club and the Aurora Firefighters Local 99.
He leaves to mourn him, yet cherish his memory, his loving wife and best friend, Ruth; his mother, Alice Kramp; his sisters, Tari (Scott) Hankes, Barb (Stan) Myers and Linda (Chuck) Leese; his in-laws, Francis and Rose Marie Stammer and Ruth's siblings, Mary "Francie" (Ron) Smart, Janni (Mike Young) Stammer, Don (Debra) Stammer, Julie (Richard) Smith, Lori (Dennis) Hahn, Patrick (Yasmine) Stammer, his beloved nieces and nephews Kayte Hankes, Kelly Michael and Noah Myers, Morgan Leese, April, Tony and Patrick Stammer, John Smart, Samantha Young and Joseph, Ellie and David Hahn; his closest friends Chris (who he met in grade school) and Karen Mang, Brad and Janice Westrom and Chris and Lisa Oros.
He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Kramp and his nephew Christopher Hankes. Visitation will be Thursday, June 24, 2010 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL. 60506 (630) 631-5500, where there will be a brief prayer service at 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be Friday, June 25, 2010 at 10:00 am at St. Rita of Cascia Church, 750 West Old Indian Trail, Aurora, 60506. (630) 892-5918. Family and friends are asked to meet in church on Friday morning. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, to honor his love of scouting and the outdoors, the family asks that memorials be made to: Boy Scouts of America, 415 N. 2nd Ave., St. Charles, IL. 60175 or to the Explorer Post 99, C/O Aurora Fire Department, 75 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL. 60505. We will all look for you "left of the moon".