Funeral Details

Arnold Kramer, 89

Beloved husband of Linda, (nee Federer); Loving father of Marc ( Yanina ) Kramer; Lisa ( Cory ) Halpern; Michael ( Nancy ) Kramer; Joey ( Matthew ) O'Connell; and Steven ( Samantha ) Kramer; Proud grandfather of Payton Kramer, Madison Halpern, Sydney Halpern, Charles O'Connell, Max O'Connell, and Elle Kramer; Dear brother of the late Bernie (Merle) Kramer and Prized son of the late Joseph and Sadie Kramer. Arnold, "Arnie" Kramer grew up on the West Side in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago surrounded by generations of family and friends in a community that fostered his association with Jewish causes, sparked his entrepreneurial spirit, and built his ironclad will to persevere. He volunteered for B'nai Brith holding leadership positions introducing him to the mayor among others at a young age. He helped his late father Joseph at the family book binding business growing up. As his late mother, Sadie, was struck with Polio and doctors told her she would not walk again, he watched her tirelessly work to prove them wrong as she got back on her feet walking again. Throughout his childhood, he took the train to old-fashioned movie theaters and was inspired by the characters. Arnie and his friends wore their leather jackets and greased their hair at Farragut High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Illinois with an Accounting Degree and later graduated from John Marshall Law School. He worked at a Ford dealership while in school, which helped support him and hone his creative financing and salesmanship skills as he developed a lease precursor. He started a general law practice in downtown Chicago right out of school when lawyers were scarce, and practiced law across the globe from Geneva, Switzerland to the Middle East to the middle of Midwestern cornfields. He began to dabble in a broader range of commercial interests from franchising restaurants to developing real estate. Being a commercial real estate professional became his primary occupation in the later half of his life. The struggles and successes of his personal and professional life enabled his powerful positive thinking and sheer strength of will, which was imbued by the grit and determination to rebound time and again inspired by his early community and family. He learned to live and laugh and loved his life with his family and wife Linda, who helped him stay alive in so many ways over decades of his life. His inspiration will be missed but not forgotten by his children Marc, Lisa, Michael, Joey and Steven. Arnold will lay to rest in the Motola section of Waldheim Cemetery amongst his parents and family at a private service attended by his immediate family. Anyone interested in attending the Shiva on Sunday 9/10 should reach out to Steven for details at 312.208.0493. In lieu of flowers memorial, donations can be made to: The Great Vest Side Club c/o Art Farber, 950 Augusta Way #313, Highland Park, IL 60035, www.greatvestside.org/donate. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Buffalo Grove Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com