By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
March 23, 2011

Herold Cramer Jr. didn’t need a store front to start his business.

In 1947, he founded Modern Supply fire suppression and sold and serviced fire extinguishers from the back of his car.

“He did everything on a handshake,” his wife, Nancy Cramer, said.

Herold, who grew up in Historic Northeast, moved his business into a small shop near the Folger plant in Kansas City, and relocated the business in 1955 to 1001 Cleveland Ave. in Northeast.

For 56 years, Modern Supply has operated in its Northeast storefront, but now, it’s moving out.

“I always said I wanted to be in business until I’m 80 and that’s enough,” said Nancy, who took over the business when her husband died in 1994. “I sold it last year. I felt like I needed to sell it when the business is strong.”

Cramer, who turns 80 in July, sold the business to Jay Gunter Besheer, who renamed the business Modern Fire Safety, LLC. Cramer will serve as general manager during the transition of moving the business to 212 W. 72nd St.

Asked why she decided to take over the business following her husband’s death, Cramer said, “I felt like I needed a change.”

For 20 years, she worked as a licensed counselor and for 18 years, she taught elementary school in Hickman Hills. It was time for a break, she said.

“I’ve just loved every moment of it,” she said of operating the fire suppression business. “I just found the business challenging and fascinating. I enjoy the interactions with the people.”

Every year, Cramer attends continuing education classes in fire safety and service, and is licensed to install, inspect and service fire extinguishers.

“I like helping people,” she said. “I think fire prevention is very important. So, every time people ask me to give a donation for an auction, I give them a fire extinguisher or two.”

When asked about the challenges of her business, she said, “First of all, being a woman in a man’s world. There are only two or three women distributors in the whole State of Missouri. The second thing is technology changes all the time.”

She recalled how her husband was one of the first to offer “wet chemical” fire extinguisher systems to replace the dry powder system.

Fire codes have changed, nozzles have changed, everything has changed, she said.

With mixed emotions, she spoke of her business leaving Northeast.

“I like to travel to different countries, so I like the diversity here and working with people and trying to understand their language,” she said. “There’s just kind of an energy here. There’s the history.”

However, Cramer voiced confidence in the new owner and his direction.

Once Modern Fire Safety has fully transitioned, Cramer plans to retire and pursue her other interests – one of those being traveling. Cramer has a trip planned to Iran on April 9 and her next venture will be a cruise along the Dneiper River in Russia and Ukraine.

Retirement will also leave more time for lunch with friends, serving as a mentor to fifth graders at Hickman Hills and volunteering with her church and the Salvation Army, she said.

Finally, she added, she’ll be able to pursue her love of writing.

“All I’ve done is write minutes for the last 50 years,” she said of serving as secretary for area organizations. “I want to get more serious about it.”

Cramer smiled and said she already has her novel in mind.