Melvin Louis "Shorty" Kraemer

Melvin Louis “Shorty” Kraemer, 87, of Wakefield, NE, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2013, at Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wakefield, NE; Pastor Willie Bertrand will be officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2013, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. at the Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE. Burial will be held in the Wakefield Cemetery in Wakefield, NE. Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield, NE is in charge of arrangements. Melvin was born February 11, 1926 in Concord, NE, the son of Gustav and Anna (Stalling) Kraemer. He attended and graduated from Concord, NE. While in high school Melvin was active in boxing, softball, and basketball. He married Neva Jorgensen on June 1, 1946 in Wakefield. Melvin and Neva made their home on Neva’s family farm north of Wakefield. Melvin raised hogs and cattle and did custom farming in the area, along with corn shelling business. Melvin attended college at Western Iowa Tech College, where he learned about feed nutrition. In the seventies and early eighties he ran the Purina feed store in Wakefield. He then went to work for Vis-Vita in Sioux City, IA, selling feed to customers in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. He made many friends over the years in the feed business. He was also an avid Cornhusker fan. Melvin was very active in his church over the years. He taught Sunday school and was a lamplighter with AAL, a Lutheran based group. Melvin sang in the church choir for a total of 50 years. He belonged to the Couples Club and other church organizations. Melvin is survived by his wife, Neva of Wakefield, NE, a daughter, Melva Elton of Wakefield, NE, and two grandsons, Mike Elton of Wakefield, NE and Andy (Angie) Elton of Hastings, NE and three great-grandchildren, Brooke Elton of Wakefield, NE and Bo and Brody Elton of Hastings, NE, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and two brothers.