Ruby E. Kramoski experienced the thrill of her life when one day on the job she came face to face with John F. Kennedy at a presidential campaign stop at the Aurora Police Department in 1960.
The longtime Aurora resident would frequently, even years later, share memories of the encounter and the impression was young, charismatic and a wonderful speaker, the kind of person she used to say over and over that made people proud to be an American,” said her daughter Diane Gant.
Mrs. Kramoski, 92, a former supervisor of meter maids with the Aurora Police Department, died Tuesday, April 24, in Mercy Medical Center in Aurora of complications related to kidney failure.
The youngest of four children, Mrs. Kramoski was the granddaughter of pioneers who came to the Midwest by covered wagon. She was born in Sandwich and lived there until her teens, when her family moved to Plano. She graduated from Plano High School in 1933.
Two years later, Mrs. Kramoski married her husband, John, and settled in Aurora. The couple had two daughters. John Kramoski died in 1988.
During the 1950s and ’60s, Mrs. Kramoski worked in the traffic division of the Police Department, supervising a staff of about 10 meter maids.
“Back then there were hardly any female supervisors at the police station, but she thrived on that kind of responsibility,” her daughter said. “She knew all the police officers and fit in well with all the men.”
While raising her children, Mrs. Kramoski was an active member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Aurora and was selected as Catholic Woman of the Year in 1989. She also was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and served as the president of the Madonna High School Auxiliary in Aurora.
During summers, Mrs. Kramoski spent long periods at her family’s lake house in northern Michigan, where she forged many lasting friendships.
“She was a wonderful woman, full of spunk and vinegar,” recalled Laurie Susmark-Cooney of Sandwich, a close friend and next-door neighbor in Michigan. “She was one of my favorite people on the lake — the kind of mom who loved having fun, but always kept us kids in line.”
For more than 20 years, Mrs. Kramoski also volunteered as an election judge in Aurora.
“Voting was important to her and being part of the election process made her feel proud,” her daughter said.
Other survivors include her daughter Marcia Allen; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
Services have been held .
