Isaac Cramer, the 35-year-old son of Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., has died after a weekslong hospitalization following serious kidney and liver problems.
Cramer shared the news on Facebook this morning.
“Kris and I are grateful we were both able to be with our son Isaac Cramer at the Mayo Clinic Methodist Hospital in Rochester this morning as he went to be with Jesus,” Cramer wrote. “We were listening to @jeremycamp singing ‘You’re Worthy of My Praise,’ holding hands, when Ike looked at me and took his last breath on Earth. Now Isaac feels no anxiety or urging for alcohol. He feels no pain and will never be depressed again.”
The congressman has said his son “has struggled with alcohol abuse,” though he has declined to publicly elaborate on the causes of his son’s hospitalization. News of Isaac Cramer’s health first broke Feb. 24, when he was hospitalized in Bismarck -- though the elder Cramer had later said he was heartened by signs his son’s condition was improving.
Isaac Cramer was most recently at the Mayo Clinic, under evaluation for a liver transplant.
ADVERTISEMENT
The death of Cramer’s son happens just days before Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Fargo to stump on behalf of his Senate campaign, and weeks before the Republican state convention in Grand Forks. He is seeking the seat held by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., whose office released a statement sharing her sympathies on Thursday.
“My heart goes out to Rep. Cramer, Kris, and his entire family,” Heitkamp said. “No parent should have to bury a child. The support of those throughout our state and the grace of God will help lift them up during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Leading state Republicans offered their condolences as well. Gov. Doug Burgum said on Twitter that he and his wife will keep Cramer’s family in their thoughts and prayers, and Sen. John Hoeven, D-N.D., said much the same.
“We are truly saddened to hear of Isaac’s passing,” Hoeven said in an statement released by his office. “We know this is a very difficult time for the Cramer family and we pray for God’s blessing on them. Mikey and I extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Kevin, his wife Kris and their entire family.”
