Mary F. Schramm

Schramm, Mary MILWAUKEE/MADISON Mary Schramm passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg. She was born July 29, 1912, the youngest of three daughters, to John and Teresa (Ramph) Flander of Milwaukee. At a time when few women drove cars, Mary got her license as a teenager to make deliveries for her sisters grocery store. She married Otto Schramm, her beloved Otts, on June 30, 1936, a union that lasted 65 years until his death in 2001. While serving in the United States Army during World War II, he was seriously injured in the Po Valley of Italy. After a long hospitalization in Europe, he returned to Milwaukee to recover in Marys care. Mary had a good sense of humor and liked being with people. She loved playing cards, especially a good game of sheepshead, canasta, or bridge. She devoted herself to her family and was proud that her sons grew up to be "good boys." After Otts retired, he and Mary moved to a retirement cottage on Lake Nagawicka in Delafield where they shared 20 peaceful years before moving to Madison. Mary was preceded in death by Otts, her parents, sisters Lena and Ann, and a niece, Tess Yeskie of Wisconsin Rapids. She is survived by her sons and their wives, Russell (Diane Mader) Schramm of Marshall and Randall (Patricia) Schramm of Madison; and her treasured grandchildren, Peter and Rachel Schramm and Paul Mader Schramm. She is also survived by two nephews, Robert (Noel) Fischer of Sturgeon Bay, and Joe (Mary Ann) Tilhof of Simi Valley, Calif. Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 28, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at Gunderson East Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive. Following the service Mary will be buried next to Otts in Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 28, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until time of the funeral at the funeral home. Her family wishes to thank the staff at St. Marys Hospital, Capital Lakes Nursing Home and HospiceCare Inc. for their tender care of Mary in her last days.