Mark Twain Casino celebrates William Kraemer’s 100th birthday

LA GRANGE, Mo. — Mark Twain Casino helped to celebrate William Kraemer’s 100th birthday on Oct. 30 with his daughters Karen Huff of Auburn, Ill., and Sandy Elbe of Augusta, Ill. Kramer has been a loyal guest of the casino for 23 years.

In a press release, Ryan Lounsbury, general manager of Mark Twain Casino, said, “Today was all about honoring Bill as he hits this great milestone of 100 years, Reaching a 100th birthday is a monumental milestone, and we were thrilled to commemorate this special occasion. Cheers to Bill, his spirit, resilience and a century of memories.”

Kraemer and his late wife, Dorcus, owned a deli in St. Albans, a neighborhood in Queens, N.Y., in the 1940s. He net several celebrities who came through his store, like Jackie Robinson, Lena Horne and Duke Ellington. They moved to Illinois during the 1950s, where he retired as a farmer. Kraemer also is a World War II veteran.