Diane Kramer (Griffin) faithfully transitioned into a better and greater dimension in the early morning hours of August 31, 2023. Proving we all are truly mortal, the earthly body of an incredibly strong and wonderful human succumbed to natural causes. On August 26, 1951, Diane was born and then raised in Granite City, IL. She grew up on Lewis Avenue just northwest of the railroad tracks located at Rt. 203 and Maryville Rd. on the edge of Granite City, IL. She attended Mitchell School and then Granite City High School (Class of 1969), competing in gymnastics. After high school, in accord with her steadfast and hardworking nature, she worked secretarial positions in St. Louis during the weekdays. An avid dancer with a petite, athletic figure, you could find Diane on the dance floor nearly every weekend with her close friends. She married a former Vietnam Force Reconnaissance Marine scout sniper and started a family in 1982. She then took a position as beloved executive assistant to the principal at Holy Family Catholic School, where she worked for the majority of her career. Enjoying her role in school administration, Diane then went to the St. Louis Central Institute for the Deaf where she supported administrators of that nationally recognized school for deaf children. She was asked to help lead the formation of a St. Louis area Charter School, which she helped successfully launch before leaving the position to care for her dear mother, Arlene Hickam. Upon the passing of her mother in 2018, Diane immediately went back to work as a clerk at the 508 Variety Shop in Mitchell, IL. It was a job she truly loved as it gave her plenty of opportunity to remain active while socializing with the wonderful members of the Mitchell community. After a few years, she agreed to join her son’s busy Chicago based law firm as his executive assistant. Forever resilient, adaptable, intelligent, and hard-working, she ended her work career at her time of death. Diane would not have had it any other way. At the age of 72, she still impressively, consistently exceeded expectations in a technologically advanced law firm and was an integral part of it running smoothly. Aside from her joy of staying busy and helping others, she really knew how to let her hair down and simply enjoy life. Diane could often be found in her later years enjoying board games, puzzles, movies, TV shows (especially the series Supernatural), crocheting, completing house projects, cooking, or working in her yard and garden. If she was not doing those things or working, you could find her engaging in her favorite activity: sitting with a cup of coffee in her large backyard talking about everything and nothing at all with loved ones while cracking a joke at every opportunity. Diane had a very laid back, easygoing demeanor and wonderful sense of humor. She was a very cool lady and will be dearly missed. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, Arlene Hickam and Guy Griffin; her former husband Raymond Kramer; and dear friend Teri Jo Dumas. Diane is survived by three children, Renee Kramer of Edwardsville, IL, Joe Kramer and his wife Gina Rasinski of Chicago, IL, and Courtney Kramer of Alton, IL; her brother Jeffrey Hickam and his wife Melissa “Missy” Hickam (Colbert) of Livonia, MI; and nephew, Tommy Hickam and his wife Jessica Hickam of Livonia, MI. As a very independent woman, she would ask that you not make any donations. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until the Celebration of Life service at 6:30 pm, Thursday September 7, 2023 at Wojstrom Funeral Home.
