Willadene B. Kraemer

Willadene Kraemer was born to Gerald and Minnie Butler in Port Arthur, Texas on February 10th, 1926. She always said that her parents didn't give her a middle name, because "Willadene" was like having two combined names. She had an older brother, Rev. Roger Butler and a younger sister, Dorothy Butler Monroe who now reside in heaven. Willa's Grandpa Jones was a successful beekeeper in Beeville, Texas who shipped queen bees to farmers in the U.S. and abroad. When she was very young, Willa was attacked by a swarm of bees while playing at her grandpa's farm. She lost a little hat but survived the ordeal. Her dad worked at the Gulf refinery in Port Arthur, then was transferred to the Cincinnati, OH refinery where she grew up in a spacious house and remembered riding her bicycle indoors during the winter. They had chickens and cows and grew fruit and vegetables which they shared with others during the Great Depression. She met her future husband, the tall and handsome Edward Kraemer, when she was in high school, and they fell instantly in love. Ed joined the Army at the start of WWII, along with his brothers, and she wrote to him every day until he came home after the war. During the war, Willadene attended Baylor University where her brother Roger was also a student. She dropped out of Baylor to marry Ed in 1944 and they had four children, Bruce, Daryl, Marlice and Jody. The Kraemer family moved to Odessa, Texas in the spring of 1956 and crossed into Texas on Valentine's Day. The move provided a drier, more-healthy climate for Ed. Around this same time, Willadene's father was killed in a tragic hunting accident. Her mother, Minnie, then relocated to Abilene, Texas, which was another incentive for Willa and Ed to pack up the family and move west. While West Texas' tree-less, barren landscape with its unceasing winds and searing summers was starkly different than Ohio, Willa quickly discovered one of Odessa's best kept secrets - - it’s incredibly warm and welcoming people. She followed in her father and mother's footsteps, becoming a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. During her years of membership, she held most of the organization offices. The highlight was when she became a Worthy Matron. Her entire life revolved around religious service. Willa's family joined Sherwood Baptist Church as soon as they arrived in Odessa. Both she and Ed taught Sunday School. She shared her talents and served as a church pianist for many years. She was a lifetime choir member, was actively involved with the youth ministry, and was a favorite leader, pianist, and sponsor for the Sherwood Singers. Her leadership and service bridged to include Crescent Park, Mission Durado and Living Word Baptist Church where she was currently a member. During her years of Christian service, Willadene studied, became an ordained minister, and in her senior years, taught classes for Precept Ministries. Her musical and Biblical heritage will continue to be her legacy. Ed worked at Sears & Roebuck and Willa became a professional seamstress to the oil-wealthy in Midland and Odessa. She was a masterful seamstress who was known for crafting designer dresses, gowns, suits and hats of the '50's and '60's era. She never shied away from daunting projects. Her children sat at her feet for many hours watching her sew and learn the craft. They can still smell the sewing machine oil and hear its humming in their memories. In the '70' and '80's, Willa owned LaMar's Bridal Shop in Odessa where she helped West Texas brides select their dream dress and then created handmade matching veils. Many of these gowns and veils included hand-bead, pearl work, crafted by Willadene.

Willadene played the oboe and piano, adored hymns, especially "In The Garden," and classical music. She passed her love for music on to her children and grandchildren. She read the Bible every day for years and enjoyed reading inspirational books and uplifting stories. Her favorite flower was the American Beauty red rose and when she laughed hard, she usually cried. Willadene was a very organized person and enjoyed keeping a super clean house. Her adult children are still trying to emulate those qualities. Willa lost her beloved husband in 1993 and found the courage and inner strength to press on. Those who knew her remember Willadene fondly, perhaps because she loved others so much and always shared a smile and a blessing with everyone. I don't think she fully realized how talented and special she was, although for her, humility was an important quality to embrace and emulate. We can all learn from this precious, God-fearing soul with no middle name who lived through almost a century and graced our lives with her consistent outpouring of love, gentleness and kindness. Words are inadequate to describe the depth of what she means to so many, but we will carry her love with us always and meet up with her on the other side one sweet day.

Willadene is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Kraemer; her father, Gerald Butler; her mother, Minnie Butler Parkhill; her stepfather, Ernest Parkhill; her brother, Roger Butler; and her sister, Dorothy Monroe.

She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Kraemer and his wife, Nancy of Mesquite, Texas; Daryl Kraemer and his wife, Jeannie of Odessa; and her two daughters, Marlice Rosasco and her husband, John of Tuolumne, California; and Jody Braswell and her husband, Jimmy of Odessa; She is survived by her five grandchildren, Jonathan Kraemer and his wife, Michelle; Amy Murphy and her husband, Brian; Christy Jackson; Cyndi Rhodes and her husband, Dustin; and Gina Braswell and her partner, Will. She is also survived by her seven great grandchildren, Jackson Kraemer, Abigail Kraemer, Lydia Kraemer, Avery Boykins, Samantha Murphy, Lucas Murphy, Lucas Jackson; and by numerous friends.

A special thank you to the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living Center, Madison Medical Resort, and Home Hospice of Odessa for their loving care and support.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 18, 2023.

 A visitation will be held Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 7 PM to 8 PM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home

A celebration of life service will be held Friday, September 15, 2023, 10:00 AM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.