Jeanne M. (Preston) Kramer

Jeanne M. Kramer passed away peacefully July 29, 2022 in Long Grove, IL at age 97. She was born July 28, 1925 to Harry and Florence Preston in San Francisco, CA.

Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Christine Kramer; son, Thomas Kramer; grandchildren, Ryan Kearley and Alissa (Chad) Nelson; 3 great grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Fred; and her siblings: Charlotte O’Neil, Dorothy Potts, Casey Preston, and James Preston.

Jeanne was a lifetime artist. She said many times over the years that art saved her, and she rarely let a day go by without dedicating at least a few hours to various creative endeavors. Her work was shown in many Chicago-based and suburban-based art galleries. She won numerous awards and accolades throughout her art career. While not a traditional accolade, she had the “honor” of being refused a sale by Chicago’s eccentric street artist Lee Godie, who would sit on the steps of the Art Institute of Chicago attempting to sell her work. Lee wanted to sell Jeanne a certain piece of art, but Jeanne was interested in purchasing a different one. “Well then you get nothing!” Lee told her. Jeanne loved to share this story over the years because Lee’s fiercely creative spirit mirrored her own. She wasn’t offended by the sale refusal. Jeanne created without boundaries or rules, and understood Lee’s fickle ways.

Jeanne belonged to various art groups throughout her life. She was a member of the former Countryside Art Center in Arlington Heights, IL and the Barrington Area Arts Council. She was in ‘Group 22’ exhibitions with her longtime artist friends, too many to mention by name but all equally cherished for their kindred spirits and creativity. The friendships she forged with her artist friends lasted her entire life. The most recent exhibit she displayed her art at was a ‘Group 22’ show in September 2021 at Bloomingdale Park District Museum Gallery. It brought her great joy to be able to attend the show and see her artwork out in the wild again.

Her family is so very blessed to have had so many years of joy and inspiration enriching their lives due to her wonderful artistic talent and creative spirit. She is the reason her family has multiple creative people in it who believe there are no rules or limitations when it comes to art. Without preamble or segue: cows and birds. Her family would be remiss to leave those two creatures out of this statement, as they were the subject of many of Jeanne’s creations throughout her life.

Jeanne is dearly loved and will be missed by many, but she lives on through her art and so very many precious memories of her humor, kindness, free spirit, faith, and other forms of goodness.

Services for Jeanne will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations made in Jeanne’s name to an organization that focuses on Dementia research, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, would be appreciated.