Minnie "Mynn" Cramer

Cramer, Minnie (Mynn)

Ithaca: Minnie (Mynn) Cramer, 102, died peacefully in her home in Ithaca on May 10, 2012. Born July 17, 1909, in Smorgon, Russia, Mynn immigrated to the United States in November 1911 with her mother and older sister so that they could unite with Mynn's father, who had previously immigrated to Ithaca. Many of Mynn's aunts and uncles also settled in the Ithaca area, where they established a robust Jewish community, which culminated in the construction of the Temple Beth-El at its present site. Mynn had been a secretary at NYSEG and a court reporter when she met her future husband, Lou Cramer, in New York City where Lou was attending New York University (NYU). For Lou it was love at first sight. Lou quit NYU and followed Mynn to Ithaca, where they were married at the Temple Beth-El on December 22, 1929. In 1936, Lou established Cramer's Auto Parts, which became a fixture in the west end of Ithaca until Lou retired in 1986 at the age of 80. Mynn joined the family business as the bookkeeper, and she continued working in the business until she retired in 1986 at the age of 77. As she loved to read, Mynn was a frequent patron of the Tompkins County Public Library. Mynn also loved to knit sweaters and scarves for her family and friends. A loving wife and mother, Mynn was completely devoted to her family, and she will be missed greatly. Mynn is predeceased by her husband, Lou, who died in 2001; her parents, Nathan and Mary Kramer; her sisters, Rose Meyers, Sonny Cohn, Rita Glass and Helen Shulman, and her brother, Michael Kramer. She is survived by her children, Marc Cramer of Ithaca, Thomas (Kimberly) Cramer of Ithaca, and Wendy (Richard) Cramer Scheife of Boston; four grandchildren; a brother, Samuel Kramer, of Wilmington, Delaware, and nephews and nieces. Mynn's funeral was held at the Temple Beth-El in Ithaca on May 14, 2012, and burial took place at Lakeview Cemetery. Bangs Funeral Home handled the funeral arrangements.