Ed & Wilma Kramer
Carbondale, Kansas
Ed and Wilma have been square dancing for 35 years and for 30 of those, they have also enjoyed round dancing. They contribute their good health to square and round dancing. Ed and Wilma were members of Kuntry Kuzzins for over 30 years until the club folded in 2013. They were instrumental in the organization of Friendship Squares and immediately offered to serve on a committee. They also dance with Plus Squares of Topeka.
Ed and Wilma served six terms in each office of President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer of Kuntry Kuzzins. They have served many years working as club chairpersons of Publicity, Social and Travel Committees as well as the Northeast District Representative.
The Northeast District of Kansas has also benefited from Ed and Wilma’s willingness to support and promote square dancing in Kansas. They served for at least two terms to each of the five offices of the District Executive Board. It would be difficult to accumulate the number of hours they have spent working on committees, attending dances, and sitting in Northeast meetings representing the Kuntry Kuzzins and Plus Squares.
Joining September 20, 1981 at a Northeast District dance, Ed and Wilma have been active members of Kansas Square Dance Association (KSDA) for 35 years. They were elected Third Vice Chairperson in 2001-2002 and Second Vice in 2002-2003. Health reasons prevented them from continuing the progression of the chain of command to KSDA President. When the Kansas State Square Dance Convention needed a Ticket & Greeter Director, Ed and Wilma stepped up and served for 2 years. They have attended 33 State Conventions.
In 1982 they took round dance lessons with Chris and Kay Christian in Topeka. They danced with Dancing with Lanning and LP Rounds. After lessons they become members of Kansas Round Dance Association (KRDA), Ed and Wilma found the time to support and promote round dancing. Elected Secretary and Treasurer and serving for four years. They served six years as the KRDA Festival Chair Couple. Ed and Wilma have attended and danced at ten KRDA Festivals.
When Kansas announced their intention to bid for the 2008, 57th National Square Dance Convention® to be in Wichita, Ed and Wilma volunteered to serve on the Ways & Means Committee. There were very few events that featured the Ways & Means that this couple wasn’t present to set up, work the booth, and tear down. It was dancers like Ed and Wilma that help make the Kansas National a success. They have attended ten National Conventions.
Married for 62 years, Ed and Wilma do not sit at home. They have 5 children, 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Wilma says, “We enjoy every one of them!” When not attending grandkids’ activities, Ed and Wilma attend dances at every available chance. It is impossible to think of local, Northeast, KSDA dances or State Conventions and not included Ed and Wilma in your square or circle. Ed believes that if dancers would support their local clubs and State dances, square and round dancing would continue to grow in Kansas.
Kansas is very fortunate to have Ed and Wilma. If every dancer was as committed and dedicated as this enthusiastic couple, square and round dancing would have no lack of volunteers.