Lydia Gramm --  1981 

Mrs. Lydia Gramm, daughter of Fredrich and Maria (Balzar) Stutz was born Oct. 23, 1893, at Bethune, Colo. She departed this life in St. Joseph Hospital, Denver, Oct. 27, 1981, at the age of 88 years, and four days.  Both her parents preceded her in death. 

When she was four years old the family moved to Scotland, S.D., in a covered wagon, staying there a short time.  They moved back again in  a covered wagon, and made their home north of Bethune, known as the Settlement.  Here she was to spend the rest of her life and make her home.  On Nov. 10, 1916, she was united in marriage to Gottleib Gramm, at Sterling, Colo., by Rev. Karl Hemmelmann. To this union were born three sons and two daughters.  Mourning her death are her children:  Lloyd and wife Fern, Lawrence, Edmund and wife Esther, Elma and husband Ted Schaal, Esther and husband Mervin Corliss.  Also nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Minnie Hammelmann of Lincoln, Neb., and one brother, William Stutz of Denver. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Gottleib, who passed away Aug. 20, 1977; and five sisters and one brother.  They are:  Lena Dobler, Maria Stahlecker, Ida Knodel, Fredrich Stutz, Emma Weiss, and Netti Stutz and Martha Schlichenmayer.

Mr. and Mrs. Gramm celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1966, and in November of 1976, they were again able to have their relatives and friends with them to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Lydia was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was a charter member of the Hope Congregational Church of Bethune.  She was also a charter member of the Hope Missionary and Aid Society.  She loved her church and was quite active throughout her life. On Dec. 24, 1977, she had the misfortune to break her leg, and this confined her to a wheel chair.  Although this limited her activities, she accepted her condition, and never complained, even continuing her church attendance, missing very few Sundays.  Lydia kept busy piecing and making up quilts, and crocheting, many of which she gave away.  She finished her last quilt a few days before she entered the Burlington hospital, Oct. 5.  She was then transferred to Denver Oct. 24, where she passed away Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. 

Services were held in Hope United Church of Christ Oct 31, 1981, with Rev. Howard Johnson and Rev. Rueben Isaak officiating.  Special music was sung by the men's choir, "Going Down the Valley", "Beyond the Sunset." Pall bearers were Melvin Gramm, Raymond Schlichenmyer, Ron Gramm, Verlin Corliss, Fred Gramm, Clyde Schaal. Honorary pall bearers were George Gramm, Alan Barber, Larry Gramm and Dan Hudson. Final resting place is Hope United Church of Christ cemetery, north of Bethune.