Allen J. Schram, 76, Claire City, SD, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at his home in rural Claire City.
Funeral services were Monday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Claire City with Rev. Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett officiating. Music was provided by organist Crystal Kemnitz and vocalists Jerry Nelson and Bobbi Jo Jelinek.
Burial was in the Claire City Community Cemetery. Pallbearers were Carson Schram, David Yakymi, Joshua Kratz, Michael Kratz, Scott Schram, Jeremy Gleason, Jennifer Yakymi, Mackenzie Schram, Olivia Yakymi, Kaden Schram, Kolten Schram, and Leon Hidanovic.
Visitation was Sunday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church. The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt, SD, was in charge of the arrangements.
Allen Joseph Schram was born July 21, 1941, to Alvin and Ardys (Ercink) Schram in Veblen, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Claire City. He attended country school through 8th grade, his Freshman year in Sisseton, then transferred to New Effington High School where he graduated in 1959.
On September 14, 1963, Allen married Mary Therese Gettel at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lidgerwood, ND. Allen and Mary became the proud parents of three children, Rebecca, Richard and Robert. Allen started farming with his dad while living the first two years of their marriage on a farm north of Hammer, SD. They then moved back to the family homestead where they farmed and ranched and raised their family. Allen continued to help on the farm after his son, Richard Schram, took over the operation in 2014 making it a 4th generation farm. Allen resided on the family farm until his death.
Allen was a member of First Lutheran Church where he served on the church council for many years. He served multiple terms on the school board as well as many years on the Farmer’s Inn Café board. He cared greatly about his community and did all he could to help support area organizations and businesses.
Allen enjoyed driving his corvette and touring the country with other area couples which grew to become a small corvette club. He loved to sing and enjoyed being in the church choir and cantatas and performing at many celebrations both of life and of community over the years. He also enjoyed old tractors and participating in antique tractor runs. His other hobbies included collecting coins, hunting, fishing and most of all spending time with his family and friends, especially the grandkids and great-grandkids. And he simply loved ‘Trouble’, his Golden Retriever.
Those that were blessed to know him, if only for a minute, knew he was a big man with a big heart, a strong opinion and a firm handshake.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Rebecca (Doug) Kratz of Valley City, ND, Richard (Tonia) Schram of Claire City, and Robert Schram of Claire City; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Joshua and Michael Kratz, Jennifer (David) Yakymi and daughter Olivia, Mackenzie Schram and son Leon Hidanovic, Carson Schram (Britt LaForte), and Kaden and Kolten Schram; brother, James (Melody) Schram of Blackhawk, SD; brothers-in-law, Joseph (Gail) Gettel of Lidgerwood, and David Gettel of Lake Forest, CA; and nieces and nephews, Scott Schram of Watertown, SD, Kristen (Jim) Barrett of San Diego, CA, Brooke (Rob) Duval of Lake Forest, CA, and Rick Gleason of Lidgerwood; and many great nieces and nephews.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Ardys (Ercink) Schram and all his aunts and uncles.