May 18, 2023

Horticultural supply industry figure Kurt Dramm dies

Kurt Dramm, a leader in the horticultural supply industry, has died. He was 85.

Dramm died May 16. He was the co-founder of the Manitowoc, Wisconsin, based Dramm Corp., which supplied water treatment products, horticultural equipment, professional watering tools and fertilizers for the commercial greenhouse and retail gardening sectors.

“The Horticulture Industry Mourns the Passing of Kurt W. Dramm,” a Dramm news release stated. “(He was) a born salesman and friend to all in the horticulture industry.”

Dramm was born and raised in Manitowoc. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in business and horticulture.

After graduating college, Dramm worked for the Vaughan Seed Co. with a sales territory covering the southeastern U.S..

In 1968, he and his brother, John Peter Dramm, formed the Dramm Co. to produce garden and greenhouse watering products. Their mother, Perdita, had maintained the business out of her basement while working as a librarian. John Peter Dramm unexpectedly passed away in 1978.

“Kurt was known for saying, ‘Nothing happens until someone sells something’,” Dramm officials said in the release. “Kurt’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for providing quality products grew the Dramm Company.”

During Dramm’s 45 years of ownership, the Dramm Corp. grew to a thriving four-segment business: commercial greenhouse equipment, retail gardening products, Drammatic organic fertilizer, and DRAMMwater for greenhouse water treatment systems, according to the release.

The Dramm family-owned business has entered its third generation.

Dramm was predeceased by his father, John Dramm, mother Perdita Dramm, brother John Dramm, and various aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marlene, children Heidi Becker (Kurt) and Hans Dramm (Sarah Keller) and four grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled 2:00 p.m. on May 19 at First Lutheran Church, 521 N. 8th St. in Manitowoc. Visitation hours are from 12:00 p.m. at the church. A celebration of his life is scheduled at the company’s headquarters, 1425 Dufek Dr., Manitowoc, at 4:00 PM.

Flowers are welcomed but alternatively, donations can be made to First Lutheran Church, or the Friends of the Mariner’s Trail.

Dramm’s obituary can be read here.