Gardner business woman, philanthropist and community activist Margaret J. Cramer, widely known as “Aunt Peggy,” died Sept. 28 at her home. She was 93. A rosary will be held Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m., at the Bruce Funeral Home in Gardner, followed by visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Gardner, followed by interment in Gardner Cemetery.

Miss Cramer was the daughter of Frank J. Cramer, co-founder of the original Cramer Chemical Company, and Catherine (Kate) Hardiman Cramer. Peggy was born in Detroit in 1925 and moved with her family to Gardner in the mid-1930s with the founding of her father’s company. She graduated from Gardner High School in 1943.
After graduation, Miss Cramer traveled to California to work as an aid at a home for disabled children. Upon her return to the Kansas City area, she enrolled in the Kansas City Art Institute and in 1952 received a degree in commercial interior design.

Miss Cramer was involved in a number of notable interior design projects, including at University of Kansas Medical Center, the Quivira Falls clubhouse and display homes, and numerous nursing homes throughout the region.Before retiring as president of Cramer & Crumley Commercial Interior Designs, Miss Cramer was employed as an interior designer at Duff & Repp Furniture Company, and prior to that American White Goods.
After her retirement in 1987, Miss Cramer left Overland Park to reside in Gardner and continued to be a supporter of the KU Med Center Auxiliary. She was active in the Altar Society of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and later the Altar Society of Divine Mercy Parish in Gardner. She was one of the organizers of the Divine Mercy Country Store Crafts shop. In 1995 she was named Gardner Citizen of the Year.
Peggy was a founder, board member and contributor to the Gardner Historical Museum. In her retirement years she enjoyed the friendship of the Crazy 8’s card club.

Miss Cramer was preceded in death by a brother, John F. (Jack) Cramer, and sisters Ellen (Cramer) Manning, and Marion (Cramer) Cook. Although she had no children, she enjoyed the company of numerous nieces and nephews and their children, including Cathy (Cramer) Flaherty; John Cramer; Elizabeth (Cramer) Pauly; Joseph Cramer; Margaret Ellen Cramer; Roxanne (Manning) DeLory; Jim Manning; Sally Manning; Molly (Manning) Staley; Bill Cook, Frank Cook, Maureen (Cook) Kratzer, and Teri (Cook) Sheeley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gardner Historical Museum, PO Box 442, Gardner, KS 66030.