Dorothy Genevieve Schram, 86, of Gladstone passed away on Saturday morning, November 15, 2008 at Christian Park Village in Escanaba following a brief illness.
Dorothy was born on February 9, 1922, the youngest child of Selma (Peterson) Hill and Frank Hill in Iron Mountain, Michigan. She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1940 and attended Dundon’s Business School. She did office work in Milwaukee and Detroit before her marriage. Dorothy met her husband, Richard T. Schram, in Detroit through her cousin Lloyd Peterson while they were home on leave from active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard. She married Richard (Dick) Schram of Gladstone on March 5, 1946. They lived in Gladstone all their married life and enjoyed their home on Lake Shore Drive. Together they shared an appreciation of nature and of the outdoors. Berry picking, picnics, boating, fishing, swimming and gatherings with family and friends were favorite activities. After Dick’s retirement they were able to take many bus travel tours and a Caribbean cruise with friends.
Following Dick’s death on November 26, 1983 she spent seven winters in Palm Harbor, Florida with relatives and friends and she treasured her time there.
Dorothy was a member of First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. She bowled on 5 leagues over the years and enjoyed Players De Noc plays, especially the musicals. She was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and a University of Michigan football fan and she followed local football and basketball teams. Playing cards was a favorite pastime. She played in various bridge clubs for the past 40 years. Other hobbies included oil painting, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, Trivia Pursuit and, most recently, bingo at Christian Park Village.
Dorothy grew up with a strong sense of family and she instilled that value in her children. She was a “stay at home” mom who daily supported the activities of her family. Dorothy’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the center of her life, and she was the center of theirs. She will be deeply missed.
She is survived by one daughter, Susan (Dale) Jamison of Rapid River; two sons, Stephen (Ann) Schram of Washburn, WI and Jeffrey (Mary) Schram of Rapid River. Six grandchildren, Andrea (Tracy) Hudson of Escanaba; Beth (Bill) Dietzel of Portage, MI; Sarah Jamison of Appleton, WI; Ben Schram of Madeline Island, WI; Molly Schram of St. Cloud, MN; Jessi Wendrick of Glendale, AZ. Five great-grandchildren, Carter and Colin Hudson, and Allison, Jenna and Samuel Dietzel; Sister-in-law, Fern Schram and brother-in-law Bob (Dottie) Schram and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her husband, Dick Schram, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Selma and Frank Hill; two sisters, Eve Hill and Phyllis Cowling; two brothers, Earl Hill and Willard Hill.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 19 from 2 to 4:45 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Gladstone.
Funeral services will follow at First Lutheran Church at 5 p.m. with Rev. Jonathan Schmidt officiating. Lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Burial will be at Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.
Memorial contributions in memory of Dorothy may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. Envelopes will be available at the church.
