Obituary of Esther Gramm

Esther Leona Gramm was born on December 8, 1921 to Dora and Jim Knodel north of Bethune. She was baptized and confirmed at Hope Church of Bethune, Colorado. She always remembered her confirmation memory verse; Rev. 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Esther was the oldest of the five children with three sisters included, Ruby Schlichenmayer, Jeanette Amman, and Alice Gramm and her only brother Paul Knodel. She walked 1 ½ miles to attend a country school through the eighth grade. After leaving school she helped at home until 1936 when she started working in town doing housework. In 1941, her dad died and she had to go back home and be the driver for the family since her step-mother Vera, could not drive. Then in January 1946, she worked at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital until December 8th, 1946 when she and Edmund Gramm were married at her home. They made their home as newlyweds on Edmund’s grandfather’s homestead for 67 years by farming and raising cattle. In 1951, a baby boy was born, James Richard, but died the same day. January 31, 1953, Fredrick Gene was born and on July 14, 1955, JoAnn Lucille was added to the family. Esther was active in the Hope Congregational Church numerous times as leader of Vacation Bible School and Sunday School Superintendent. As a member of Ladies Aid she tied and hemmed many quilts, always enjoyed singing at the nursing homes, and helped serve at bull sales. She loved making quilts for all her family, as gifts, and donated many to the Ronald McDonald House in Denver. Esther always prized her beautiful, well manicured flowers and gardens. Throughout her 91 years she kept the workers fed while they toiled to keep the family farm productive. She was always quick to help out whenever the need arose; whether that was to pick fruit, tie a quilt, butcher chickens, or clean a house. She never let anything go to waste and she was a good steward to what the Lord provided for the family, never complaining for naught, being content in all things. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Edmund, parents, infant son, James Richard, two sisters, Alice Gramm and Ruby Schlichenmayer. Brother-in-laws Chris Schlichenmayer, husband of Ruby, Gene Amman, husband of Jeanette, Loyd Gramm and wife Fern, sister-in-law Elma Schaal and husband Ted. She is survived by her son Fred Gramm and wife Sheryl of Stratton, and her daughter JoAnn Anderson and husband Doug of Burlington; six grandchildren, Court Gramm and wife Amanda of Highlands Ranch, CO, Minette McGeehon and husband Aaron of Denver, CO, Chris Gramm and wife Andrea of Stratton, Megan Williams and husband Zach of Denver, CO, Ben and Gretja Gramm of Stratton. Three step-grandchildren Rhonda Anderson of North Platte, NE, David Anderson and wife Rebecca of Elk River, MN, and Morgan Anderson of Denver, CO. She also had two great-grandsons Evan and Logan Gramm sons of Court and Amanda Gramm. She is survived by her brother, Paul Knodel and wife Mildred of Lakewood, CO, sister, Jeanette Amman of North Ogden, UT, brother-in-laws Melvin Gramm and wife Pat of Lakewood, CO and Lawrence Gramm of Stratton, sister-in-law Esther Corliss of Brighton, CO, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Esther passed away peacefully on July 12, 2013 at her farm house in Stratton, CO and has been a part of this community reaching out to the needs of many with words of encouragement for 91 1/2 years. She will be remembered and greatly missed.