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Kurt Dramm, founder of Dramm Water, dies at 85

Kurt Dramm, a pioneer in the water filtration industry, has died on May 16 at the age of 85.

Dramm was known as a “friend of the horticulture industry” since he and his brother John Dramm, formed the Dramm Company in 1968 to produce garden and greenhouse watering products. Dramm developed the Dramm Corporation. Over the next 45 years, the company became well-known in the aquaculture and recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) space for its water filtration products.

“In his early years, he was laughingly called ‘Warts’. In college, he was known as ‘Flower Pot’. In recent years, it was ‘Aga’, a name the grandchildren lovingly called him,” an obituary from Sheboygan Press said. “Kurt Dramm was a son, brother, husband, a wonderful father, the greatest grandfather, businessman, horticulturalist, friend, rebel, traditionalist, environmentalist, explorer, gourmet, and a gift to us.”

Dramm was born on Nov. 25, 1938, to Perdita (Perham) and John G. Dramm. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957, attended St. Olaf College and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in business and horticulture. In 1964, he married Marlene (Toebe) Dramm. He and Marlene went on to have two children, Heidi and Hans.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19 at First Lutheran Church, 521 N. 8th St. Manitowoc. Visitation hours are from 12:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church. A celebration of his life will be held at Dramm Corp., 1425 Dufek Dr., Manitowoc at 4:00 p.m.

Donations can be made to First Lutheran Church, or the Friends of the Mariner’s Trail.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com.