Zerita MIna Kramer

Zerita Mina Johnson Kramer was born on Tuesday, July 12, 1927 in Sacramento, California and passed away on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022 in Gold River, California, at the age of 94.   Zerita was the eldest daughter of Irene (Waring) and Archie William Johnson and one of six children that included four sisters (Norma, Vera, Laura & Beverly) and a brother (Archie Jr.)  In addition, Zerita had a half-brother, (Kenneth) whom she was able to meet and connect with later in life. Zerita was at least 3rd generation (through her mother’s family) residing in Sacramento, with roots back to Sutter’s Fort and the early American period of the Sacramento region.

Zerita and her siblings grew up in Oak Park, a neighborhood of Sacramento, where she attended Fruitridge Elementary School.  It was during her primary grades that Zerita would meet her future husband, Wilfried John Kramer. Will recalled noticing Zerita when she played the part of the Statue of Liberty in a school play. Zerita subsequently went to McClatchy High while Will attended Sacramento High School. They remained friends and married a few years after high school. Zerita and Will were lifelong partners, friends, and parents through 71 years of married life.   

Zerita spent most of her adult life working as a mother, church deaconess, friend, and encourager of so many.  As the matriarch of the Kramer family she taught her children and extended family how to live.  She taught many how to smile, how to be friendly, how to be encouraging, how to include others, how to be generous.

As a parent to her four children, Carol Burger, Katherine Rasmusson, Wil Kramer Jr., and Paul Kramer, Zerita worked tirelessly to ensure each child had what they needed to succeed in their life’s path. Zerita took extreme pride in the individual successes of each of her children, rather than her own accomplishments.  In conversations, in random locations, Zerita could be heard telling others about each of her children and the great work each was contributing to society.  Through them, she found great joy and fulfillment in her role as their mom. 

Zerita was a champion for her God and her faith.  For over forty years, Zerita was an active greeter at her beloved Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church. She enjoyed meeting people, and always had a smile. Zerita always accepted others without judgment and met them where they were in life, she loved unconditionally.  She would always be on the lookout for those she could help. Simply put, Zerita was known as a loving, accepting and faithful servant. 

An avid reader of books, she greatly enjoyed reading her Bible and church quarterlies while also enjoying fiction, nonfiction, love stories, inspirational stories, adventure, and animal stories.  She was still reading her favorite books up until her death.

Throughout life, Zerita and Will were avid world travelers, having visited more than 80 countries and seven continents.  Many of their trips included extended family, as Zerita and Will took joy in inviting grandkids along on their adventures.  

Zerita and Will were always known to have their “doors open.”  In earlier years, this meant an open door to fostering children, while later in life this meant having an open door for family gatherings, Saturday night board games, where she would make sure everyone was well fed. She loved having family members over, the more the merrier.  It was always a special treat for her to have anyone stop by.  Zerita was always a constant and loving presence during these times of fellowship and memories. 

Will preceded Zerita in death on November 18th, 2020. She is survived by her four children, their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Zerita will be remembered for her smile, her love of orchids, her greetings of hugs and kisses, her strong support of her children, and her never-ending faith in God.  

Zerita was interred at Fair Oaks Cemetery beside her beloved husband Will. In lieu of flowers and in view of Zerita’s interest in education and her desires, the family kindly requests that any donations, if given, be directed to the worthy student funds at either Sacramento Adventist Academy, 5601 Winding Way, Carmichael, CA 95608 (www.sacaa.org) or Orangevale Adventist School, 5810 Pecan Ave. Orangevale, CA 95662 (www.ovschool.org) 

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