John Gramm  --  1985

         Final rites for John Henry Gramm were Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1985, at 2 pm in the Hope United Church of Christ in Bethune with Dr. Albert Wetzel officiating.  The organist and pianist for the services were Deloris Dobler and Velda Adolf.  The Hope United Men's Choir were the singers.  Song selections were "How Great Thou Art" and "Safe In the Arms of Jesus".
        Casket bearers were Doug Beeson, Dale Gramm, Monte McCormick, Bill Gramm, John Gramm, John Purviance.  Honorary casket bearers were Art Lange, Ron Peake, Clarence Winslow, Russell Gramm, Albert Weiss and Art Gramm.  Interment was in the Hope United Church of Christ Cemetery in Bethune.
        John Henry Gramm was born Dec. 10, 1906, to Christ Gramm and Christina (Strobel) Gramm.  He was the youngest of seven children.  John passed away Saturday, Oct. 12, at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver.
        As a child, he grew up on the family farm north of Bethune, working with his parents and brothers.  John attended school in the Settlement area.  He was baptized Feb. 10, 1907, in the Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune by the Rev. Gustav Pastor and was confirmed on April 30, 1922 by Rev. Carl Haemmelmann.
        On Feb. 21, 1929, he was united in marriage to Freida Adolf.  To this union three children were born:  Richard, Raymond and Gladys.
        In the 1930's he worked for the WPA and farmed.  In 1952, the family moved to Burlington.  After moving to town, he drove a school bus for the Burlington School District, worked for Andrews Dray Lines and Burlington Building and Supply.  For the past 27 years he was employed at the Kit Carson County Courthouse until his death. He enjoyed bowling and pitching horseshoes.
        John was preceeded in death by his parents, Christ and Cristina; brothers Jake, Gottlieb, Christ, William and sister Lisa and son-in-law Duane Beeson.
        Survivors include his wife Freida and children Richard and wife Elvira, Raymond and wife Margaret and Gladys.  Also, grandchildren Dale, Bill, Della and husband John, John Lloyd, Russell, Doug and wife Tammy, Jeanette and Cheryl.  Three great grandchildren, Brandy, Cody and Cyler Beeson and sister Pauline Schaal.
        He was willing to help anyone that needed help and was a good husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will also be greatly missed by a host of other relatives and friends.