Kevin L. Kramer, 57

Kevin Leroy Kramer, age 57, passed peacefully from this world surrounded by his family on Feb. 22, 2016. Kevin was under hospice care at Health Center Northwest after a courageous battle against auto immune hepatitis and the many medical complications that followed. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Kevin was born on Sept. 26, 1958 to Roy and Norma Kramer in St. Cloud, Minnesota where he spent his childhood. Summers were dedicated to their family cabin, near Brainerd, at Crow Wing Lake, memories he fondly cherished and shared with his children.

In the late 1970’s he married Cindy Lentner, and they moved to Kalispell. They had two children, Rocky and Tommie, who were his pride and joy. It was here he began his career in the plumbing field.

In 1988, Kevin married his soulmate, Donna Buller. Donna brought to the union her three children, Breanna, Jason and Laci. Together they created a family bond unsurpassed by most “conventional” families. In 1993, he started his own plumbing company, Bighorn Plumbing, which he later passed down to his two sons, Rocky and Jason.

Some of Kevin’s greatest passions included hunting, camping, fishing, and anything outdoors, all of which he shared with his family and friends. He was extremely knowledgeable in a broad variety of topics, and not someone you wanted to play Trivial Pursuit against. He could tell a story like no other, and had a sense of humor that could bring a smile to anyone’s face. He was known to his grandchildren as Papa. Above all, Kevin loved his family and every moment that he spent with them. He will be forever remembered by all who knew him, and very deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy Kramer and Norma Schnable; nephew, Patrick Kramer; and his four-legged companion, Gus

He is survived by his wife Donna Kramer; his children and their spouses, Rocky and Chrissy Kramer, Tommie and Tony Dobbs, Breanna and Joe Chavez, Jason and Kristy Copping, and Laci and Mykal Coehlo; his grandchildren Makia Hammer, Abbi Chavez, Hailey Copping, Maddi Chavez, Kelcey Copping, Livvi Chavez, Eli Copping, and Maysa Coehlo; brother Dennis Kramer and his wife Joyce; sister Sandy Waverek and her husband Tom; brother Keith Kramer from Columbia Falls; brother Rick Kramer and his wife Jean; sister Cheryl Hoheisel and her husband Mark; numerous nieces and nephews, and his buddy Dutch.

There will be a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church followed by burial at Glacier Memorial Garden and a gathering at the Elks Lodge.

To send a note of condolence to the family please visit www.buffalohillfh.com.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.