Neva Jane Kraemer, 96, of Wakefield, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 in Wakefield.
Services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m., with a visitation one hour prior at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wakefield. Burial will be at the Wakefield City Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, Iowa.
Neva Jane Kraemer was born on May 10,1929 at her parents’ home in Dixon County, rural Wakefield. Her parents were Andres and Meta Jorgensen. Neva was an only child and loved being in the country. She attended country school until high school in Wakefield. In late 1944, Neva was introduced to her future husband, Melvin L. Kraemer. On June 1, 1946 Neva married Melvin L. Kraemer at St. John's Lutheran church in Wakefield. They made their home with Neva's parents on the family farm, eventually building their own home on the same property to be close to her parents. In 1958, Melvin and Neva had one child, Melva (Kreamer) Elton.
Neva was a stay-at-home mom and farmer's wife, helping with chores and raising her daughter. She loved her farm cats and dogs over the years. Neva was a caretaker for her parents in their later years.
Neva was blessed with two grandsons, Mike and Andy. She helped take care of them on weekends or summers when Melva was working. Neva sold Avon products for several years and enjoyed visiting and talking to people about her family and church. Neva was very active in her church, taking on roles as a Sunday School teacher, singing in the Choir, Ladies Aid group, AAL and LLL groups.
Neva's grandchildren were a special gift to her as well. Being right there to help babysit Brooke when she was little and when Bo and Brody would visit and take her for a trip to Sioux City.
Those left to honor her memory include her grandsons: Mike (Wendy Johnston) Elton of Wakefield; great granddaughter, Brooke (Brook)Becker, Omaha; great great-grandchildren Leighton and Levi Becker; grandson, Andy (Angie) Elton, Hastings; great-grandsons: Bo and Brody Elton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin Kraemer; daughter, Melva Elton; and great-great grandson, Kaiser.
