Roland Robert Cram

Roland Robert Cram
Roland Robert Cram, 92 years old, passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019, at the  Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, MN.
Born on December 22, 1926, at Waterville, MN in his parents home northwest of Waterville, the only child of William Lester Cram and Esther (Marzahn) Cram.
He attended Waterville High School and was married to Faith Geraldine Meyer on May 6, 1945. They were married for 60 years before Faith passed away on February 3, 2006.
Roland was a farmer his entire life. His father had severe rheumatoid arthritis and his half-brother was killed in an accident, so he took over the farm right after high school watching the farm industry evolve from steel wheeled tractors to the current gps guided tractors.
Roland and Faith traveled extensively in the United States, Canada and Mexico, visiting each state at least twice and making more than 1 trip to Alaska in either their pick-up camper or motorhome. Roland & Faith wintered in either Florida, Texas, or Arizona for many years and eventually purchased a winter home in Arizona where 2 of their children were living. They also enjoyed camping with family at 'the lake lot' bordering their farm on Lake Tetonka. Roland would love it when the great grandchildren would give him a big hug. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
In his earlier years he served on the Waterville-Elysian School Board, was the area Dekalb seed dealer, taught firearm training, was a proud member of the NRA, was Chairman of the Board at Farm Credit Services of Southern, MN, and served on his Church Council.
Roland is survived by five children: Louise (Bob) Flom of Nerstrand, MN; Melvin (Kay) Cram and Ralph (Jean) Cram of Waterville, MN; Roxanne (Mike) Lefever of Queen Creek, AZ; and Roger (Kim) Cram of Madison, SD. 11 grandchildren: Kyle (Sara) Flom and Kirk (Cami) Flom of Faribault, MN; Kami (Dave) Poppen of West Branch, IA; Nathan (Jenny) Cram, Karissa (Pat) Judd, Nick (Amy) Cram of Waterville, MN; Katrina (Mathew) Routh of Eau Claire, WI; Heath (Shayna) Cram of Garden City, MN; Holly (Jason) Zuther of Lonsdale, MN; Ian Lefever of Tempe, AZ; Dylan Bludorn of Madison, SD. 21 great grandchildren: Kyra, Nick, and Karly Flom; Maci Smith, Jake, and Jason Flom; Olivia, and Alexandra Poppen; Daelyn, Kaedyn, and Paetyn Judd; Sydney, and Hunter Cram; Grace, and Ella Ernste; Tayden, and Teague Routh; Ryan, and Ashley Cram; Jaycee Zuther, and baby boy Zuther due in June.
Roland is also survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Faiths sister Darlene Schwartz of Waterville and Janet Meyer of Rochester.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Faith; 3 half-brothers, Maurice, Dallas, and Daymond Cram; 4 sisters-in-law, Ramona Meyer, Hannah Cram, Ruth Ullery, and Janet Rinehart, and 4 brothers-in-law; Norman Schwartz, Kenneth Meyer, Donald Meyer, and Neil Rinehart.
Visitation will be held at the Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville, 401 W. Main St. on Sunday, February 17, 2019 from 2:00-5:00PM.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 18, 2019 at 11:00 am with visitation 1 hour before services at St Peter's (Bell) Lutheran Church with Rev. Russ Grabau officiating. Burial will follow at Sakatah Cemetery in Waterville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St Peter's (Bell) Lutheran Church (wall mural fund) or the donors choice.