Frieda Gramm -- 1997

          Frieda Veronica Gramm, the fifth child of Andrew and Margaret (Schlichenmayer) Adolf, was born Aug. 7, 1907, near Bethune, and passed away Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997, in Burlington, at the age of 89 years. She grew up north of Bethune in the Settlement and was baptized as an infant at Immanuel Lutheran Church and later confirmed there. She attended a county school along with her brothers and sisters. On Feb. 21, 1929, she was united in marriage to John Henry Gramm at Hope Church. They were the first couple to be married in the new brick church. To this union three children were born -- Richard Laverne, Raymond Kenneth and Gladys Christina. They made their home north of Bethune, farming and raising their family. They continued farming in and around Bethune and Burlington until 1952 when they bought their home in Burlington. After moving to Burlington, Frieda joined the work force, being employed by Albert and Earl Zick at their grocery store, as a cook at Burlington High School, Penny Brothers Hardware, John Bryner’s Gambles store, and the Ben Franklin variety store. After her marriage she became a member of Hope Congregational Church of which she remained a member until death. She was also active in the Ladies Aid for many years. She loved to garden and each Sunday morning she would pick and arrange flowers form her graden [sic] to take to church for all to enjoy. After church the flowers were given to the elderly or shut-ins. Many people enjoyed her “green thumb” over the years.

          She had a special talent with crafts and enjoyed giving her handiwork away as well as beautifying her own home. She loved to cook and shared the result with family and friends. She was a “grandma” to all little kings that came to see her, always having candy, cookies or other goodies for them. They also enjoyed looking at her large salt and pepper shaker collection. Frieda was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Margaret; husband John; son Richard; son-in-law Duane Beeson; brothers John, Jake, Emmanuel, Bill, Fred, Dave and Gottlieb, who died in infancy; and sister Caroline Golli.