Janet Marie Reisenauer Kramer

Janet Marie Reisenauer Kramer died April 1, 2022, following a lengthy illness at Bishop Place in Pullman, Wash., where, ironically, she had retired from having served in a variety of positions over the past two decades.

She was born May 24, 1931, at home on the family farm in Colton, Wash., to Kansas pioneers Tony and Mary Reisenauer. She was the youngest of two brothers, Ray and Jerome, and three sisters, Angela Wittman, Virginia Miller and Rita Grassl.

Jan attended Oenning School as a first-grader, where she was taught by her sister, Angela. Her most fond remembrances were of her travels through the snow and mud to and from school with her friend and compatriot Jack Guettinger. She then attended Guardian Angel Grade School and graduated from Colton High School in 1949 in a class of 13.

Jan attended, and graduated from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane, Wash., in September of 1952. She worked from October of 1952 until October of 1953 at St. Ignatius Hospital in Colfax, Wash.

On October 24, 1953, she married Daniel Kramer, who preceded her death in 2006. They were married 53 years and lived in Colton on the family farm.

Jan returned to full-time nursing in 1985 joining the staff at Palouse Hills Nursing Center in Pullman, where she worked until her retirement in 2000. After 10 days, she unretired and returned to full-time nursing at Bishop Place Senior Living in Pullman until the summer of 2005, when she again retired only to return to nursing on a part-time basis with Bishop Place late in 2005. She worked until 2012.

Jan was a life-long communicant of St. Galls Catholic church of Colton. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America and St. Galls Altar Society.

She was an avid gardener, canner, and cook. She was a dedicated seamstress and loved crocheting and knitting. Her French toast, cinnamon rolls and harvest lunches were legendary.

Jan was particularly adept at winning the family NCAA basketball tournament pool conducted from the confines of her own "sports bar kitchen" at her residence on Rimrock Road. Jan won four consecutive tournaments, much to the chagrin of her family.

She is survived by six sons and a daughter, Mike (Sandi Heitstuman) Kramer of Clarkston, Wash., Joe Kramer, Paul (Shirley Keen) Kramer of Moscow, Idaho, Pat and (Mary Whitehouse) Kramer of Duxbury, Mass., Dave (Marjean Carter) Kramer of Colton, Lauri (Ken Twitchell) Kramer of Troy, and Aaron (Jacki Hereford) Kramer of Clarkston; 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a grandson and great-grandson.

The family wishes to convey its most heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Palouse Medical, Dr. Hall, Avalon Care Center, Bishop Place Senior Living and Elite Hospice of Asotin County.

A lifetime sports fan, Jan would like any memorials and contributions on her behalf to be made to the Colton High School Booster Club or St. Gall's Church in Colton.

A Rosary service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 8, with Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gall Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at St. Gall Cemetery following Mass.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Pullman is caring for the family. On-line condolences can be made at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.