Sons and Daughters - Kramer is longest-serving mayor
Milt Kramer, who was born in Elkader and lived here the first 18 years of his life, was recently honored for serving as Manchester’s mayor for more than 40 years.
By Pam Reinig
Register Editor
A
Manchester man who was recently honored as Iowa’s longest-serving mayor credits his Elkader roots for his commitment to education and public service.
Milt Kramer, Manchester’s mayor for the last 43 years, was born in Clayton County on February 19, 1937. His parents, Milton and Anna Mae Kramer, raised their three sons in a large house on the town’s west side. Milt’s brother, Bob, still lives in the home place, which sits atop a large hill overlooking a large slice of Elkader. His other brother, Clyde, lives in Arkansas.
“I have the greatest respect for Elkader and the high school located there,” said Milt, a 1955 graduate of Elkader High School (now Central Community High School). “I had great teachers and coaches and because of them, I went into a 38-year teaching experience and a life in local politics.”
After high school, Milt attended Luther College. He earned an undergraduate degree there in 1959, and then accepted a job at Fayette High School teaching social studies and coaching basketball and baseball. Standing in front of a class was a new experience; working with athletes was not. At Elkader, Milt was captain of a Warrior basketball team that finished with an impressive 27-3 season.
“We lost to Dubuque in the finals of sub-state play,” he recalled. “In those years, all schools were together and only eight teams went to the state tournament.”
Milt left Fayette in 1963 for a teaching-coaching position in Manchester. He and his wife, Joanne, who have been married more than 50 years, raised their daughters, Jill and Kerry, there. They couple also have seven grandchildren.
Milt’s original impetus for seeking public office in 1970 was to improve his teaching skills. “I was a social studies teacher and everyone thought it would be a good fit,” he explained. “I figured it could help me teach my class.”
A popular council member, he was encouraged to run for mayor in 1974. He won, and was sworn into office on September 16, 1974, and has held the position ever since. In 13 elections, he has run unopposed 10 times.
“One of the people to run against me was just upset with one of my decisions that year, I think,” Milt said. “Another one happened because a few guys at a bar decided that I needed someone to run against me. They decided I had it too easy, I guess.”
“I’ve been told I’m the longest-serving mayor in cities over 5,000 population,” he added. Many believe his tenure is unchallenged across all population segments, though that’s tough to tell for certain. The State of Iowa doesn’t track mayoral longevity.
A top priority during his long mayoral career has been getting to know the people he represents. Milt is a constant presence in his community, touching bases with business owners, workers and tourists, and he visits the school on a weekly basis.
“Mayor Milt has been a tremendous ambassador for the City of Manchester,” said City Manager Tom Vick, who has worked with Milt for more than a decade. “His positive attitude and dedication to serving the community have been strong core values that employees are able to connect with and build on. Milt has taken an active role in the community and strives to make himself available to meeting with anyone who would like to discuss issues with him.”
Vick added that diplomacy and empathy are just two things he’s learned from the town’s most recognizable citizen.
“We may not be able to fix their issue, but residents should know that we’re listening and taking their issue seriously,” Tim added.
In recognition of his selfless service, Milt was recently inducted into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame.
“I wasn’t expecting it but it was pretty nice to perceive,” Milt said. “I was nervous standing in front of all of those people, though.”
Milt is entering the final year of his current term. He is not sure if he’ll run again.
