Joan Marie (Curley) Kramer, 88, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on November 20, 2024.  Joan was born to Joseph and Ellen (Murphy) Curley on May 21, 1936.  Joan grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and enjoyed life with her parents and beloved older sister Ginger.  Her Aunt Sally and Uncle John lived next door and helped shape her sense of humor, as Uncle John was quite the character.  Joan graduated Salutatorian of her Ursaline High School class, and graduated from Seton Hill University with degrees in math and physics.

Joan met and married the love of her life, Thomas Kramer, on July 4th, 1959.  Joan had six children and spent her days giving them unconditional love and support, as well as a peaceful and compassionate presence.  She was a happy soul who made everyone feel special, appreciated and at ease.

Joan had a love for reading and a good murder mystery.  She loved Agatha Christy and spy novels and watched BritBox murder mysteries frequently.  Book stores and libraries were always favorite places for her.  Grandchildren were treated to trips to Hallmark plays, petting zoos and science and art museums.  Joan was an avid walker and would carry dog treats in her pocket.  She could tell you the name of every dog in the neighborhood.

If you ask people that knew Joan how they would describe her, you will hear words like kind, generous, thoughtful, smart and funny.  Joan often traveled with her husband on business trips and really took the time to get to know the clients she met and all about their families.  When Tom retired, the owner of the company stated at the retirement party that they were going to miss Tom, but they didn’t know what they were going to do without Joan. 

For Joan, the world was a place to be understood, not judged.  She looked beyond others’ mistakes, and said people are doing the best they can, even when it’s hard to see.  Her perspective reflected her boundless compassion for others.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband and her daughter Joelle Schneider.  She is survived by her children: Gregory Kramer (Eileen), Christopher Kramer (Suzanne), David Kramer (Laura), Gerard Kramer (Colleen) and Laurel Sherwood (Jeffery), as well as 22 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  Joan lived with and was lovingly cared for by her daughter-in-law, Suzanne, during her final years with health issues.

Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Saturday November 30th, at Ascension Catholic Church, 9510 W 127th Street, Overland Park, KS, with a funeral Mass immediately following at 10:30, and burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Immacolata Manor, Liberty, MO.