CHELSEA, VT and OXFORD,CT: Hans L. Kraemer, 83, died unexpectedly on July 1 in Dublin, Ireland, while traveling to his homeland of Germany. A son of the late Ludwig and Emma (Muenker) Kraemer, he was born in Iserlohn, Germany on May 17, 1927. He is the former husband of Lois (Krause) Horky and the late Hermine (Landgraf) Botelho. He has been a resident of Chelsea, Vermont, for many years and formerly lived in Seymour, Waterbury and Oxford, CT.

Mr. Kraemer immigrated to America in 1952 as a journeyed tradesman and became a proud U.S. citizen in 1957. He was an accomplished toolmaker and machine builder working for Risdon Manufacturing in Naugatuck and Ideal Manufacturing in Beacon Falls before starting his own business in Vermont as an independent and innovative builder of high-speed wire forming machines.

He leaves two sons Michael H. Kraemer and his companion Diane Ploch of Oxford and Paul R. Kraemer of Waterbury; two step-daughters, Debra Botelho of Vermont and Diana Botelho of California; a sister Margaret Horstmann of Kreuztal, Germany; grandchildren Ryan and Emma Kraemer of Oxford; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends in Connecticut and Germany. He was predeceased by a brother, Fried-Jost Kraemer of Germany.

An avid camper when his family was young, Mr. Kraemer enjoyed traveling throughout his life, especially his trips to Germany to visit family, friends and former classmates. He spoke fluently in both German and English and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles in both languages. He was a long-time member of the Concordia Singing Society, a private social club and fraternal organization for German-Americans. Proud of his heritage as well as his U.S. citizenship, Mr. Kraemer considered himself a German by birth, an American by choice.

Recognizing Mr. Kraemer’s affiliation with Concordia as the club’s last naturally born German member, a memorial gathering will be held at the Concordia Club event room, 2 Meadow Street, Seymour, on Thursday, July 15 between 5 and 8 p.m., with a service beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend. A graveside internment service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Chelsea, Vermont at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 17. Memorial contributions may be made in Hans Kraemer’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice. The Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 161 West Church St., Seymour has care of local arrangements. Condolences may be made online at www.hullfh.com

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