Harold R. Cram, Sr., 86, a former resident of La Crosse, died Monday, June 3, 1996, in Naples, Fla. He was born in Deep River, Iowa, June 19, 1909, to Adelbert (Bert) and Enness Cram. He married Elena Chavez on Aug. 11, 1929, and she preceded him in death July 26, 1988. On May 18, 1991, he married Susan Smale in Naples. He graduated with a BA degree from John Fletcher College, University Park, Iowa, in 1933 and then taught rural school for $40 per month. He became a circulation manager of the La Crosse Tribune in 1937. In 1945, Harold bought his first grocery store on George Street in La Crosse. In 1946, he left the Tribune and built his second ! grocery store, the first home- j owned supermarket in La j Crosse. He went on to build a ! chain of nine supermarkets in i Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. 1 He pioneered the warehouse ! supermarket concept with his first Food Bonanza Store in Rochester and then in La Crescent, Faribault and Albert Lea, Minn. In 1971, he ; executed a merger with the Nash ; Finch Company of Minneapolis and acted as a consultant for the corporation several years ! thereafter. He retired and moved his residence to Naples, Fla., in 1973. Harold was very active in Rotary International for 50 years in which he served as President of the La Crosse Rotary Club 1956-57 and was elected Governor of Rotary District 6i25 in 1968-69. He was a lifelong member of the boy Scouts of America serving many years on the Gateway Area Council Board at La Crosse and as Council President for some time. He served on the Advisory Board of Viterbo College of La Crosse in 1973, was a charter member of the Lutheran Hospital Heritage Club and helped to organize the first Mens Volunteer Organization at the hospital. He was a Past Master of Badger Lodge No. 345 F. & A.M.; member of La Crosse Scottish Rite Bodies, Eau Claire Consistory, La Crosse York Rite Bodies, Zor Shrine Temple, Madison and Order of Eastern Star, Chapter No. 22, member of the La Crosse and Naples Country Clubs, a member of the United Fund and was a Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce for a three year term. Harold was listed in Whos Who in the Middle West. He was a member of Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples and a former member of Bethany Evangelical Free Church, La Crosse. In addition to his wife, survivors are his daughters, Judith (Arlen) Twite of La Crescent and Linda (Gary) Wohlers of Cedarburg, 111.; sons, Harold R. (Beverly) Cram Jr. of Tomah and Dr. David L. (Elizabeth) Cram of San Francisco, Roger C. Cram of Brownsville, Minn., Norman A. (Chris) Cram of Vero Beach, Fla., Marc E. (Pam) Cram of Raleigh, N.C., and Dr. Stanley (Ann) Cram of Coralville, Iowa; 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by five brothers. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 10, in the Bethany Evangelical Free Church, CTH B. The Rev. Joe Bubar and the Rev. David Martin will officiate and burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Sletten McKee Hanson Funeral Home; and also from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Monday in the church. Memorials are requested for the Bethany Evangelical Free Church, Shriners Hospital or Childrens Miracle Network.

La Crosse Tribune; Jun 6, 1996
Contributor: CurtB (48355951)