Our beloved mom and grandma, Sylvia Jeanette Ronnei Schram died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her family on April 17, 2017 at the age of 93 at the River Pines Nursing Home in Altoona, WI, where she had lived for the past year.
Sylvia, aka “Ronny” to many of the wonderful friends she met along her lifelong journey, was born September 15, 1923 on the family farm near Starbuck, MN to Josephine and Martin Ronnei. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Starbuck. Sylvia was united in marriage to Garlen Harold Schram on November 11, 1952.
Sylvia was a Veteran of World War II, where she proudly served in the Army Nurse Corps 142nd General Hospital of Calcutta, India. In her civilian life, she continued serving and healing within the nursing profession. As a Registered Nurse, she was involved with Public Health Nursing, taught Nursing at the Technical College in New Richmond, WI, opened and was the Director of Nursing of the Hammond Nursing, and retired in 1984 as the Director of Nursing from the Baldwin Nursing Home. Sylvia was always finding ways to stay active and keep up with her Norwegian heritage.
Sylvia is survived by her children, Gary Schram of Hammond, WI and Patti Schram (Guy) Palmer of Durand, WI; grandchildren, Kyle (Amy) McMahon of DePere, WI and Cody McMahon of Durand, WI; four great-grandchildren, Landon, Carter, and Alexia McMahon of DePere, WI and Harlow McMahon of Durand, WI; sister-in-law, Elaine Carlson of Woodville, WI; and many nieces and nephews.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband, Garlen Schram; parents, Martin and Josephine Ronnei; siblings, Joseph (Agnes), Arnold (Gladys), Casper Ronnei, Mabel (James) Barsness, Ada (Julian) Pederson, Esther (Juel) Brenden, and Marion (Urness) Larson; Garlen’s parents, Inga and Herman Schram and John Schultz; and sister-in-law, Adena (Pinkie) Reppe.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 11:00 am at Smith Funeral Chapel with Pastor Deb Boynton officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Saturday. Burial will follow the service at Tramway Cemetery in Menomonie, WI with the Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard preforming military honors.
I always felt like she was the big sister that I never had. Sure wish I could have seen her one more time!!! So sorry she is gone!!!
Patti and Gary – Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom was a wonderful human being! So many memories of Larcom Street and Church with your family. Sylvia was always so kind and patient, even when we were being stinkers. Those are memories I’ll cherish forever.
That is such a great picture of her. I love the stories she would write and tell.
On behalf of the members of the Army Nurse Corps Association, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy for your loss along with our sincere gratitude for Mrs. Schram’s service to our nation as an Army Nurse.
Sincerely,
Lori Fritz, COL, USA(Ret)
Director, Region II, Army Nurse Corps Association
Aunt Sylvia was such a special lady. Gary and I were fortunate to visit her the past couple years on our way back from Florida to Minnesota.. She always made us feel like we had made her day, which was the opposite. Visiting with her was special and made our day. Our sympathy to you, Patti, Gary and your families.
Patti and Gary: You had one of the most wonderful mothers anyone could ask for. I so loved working with your mom both at Hammond and Baldwin Nursing Home. In fact I followed when she made the change just to work with her! She loved nursing and was one of the best! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Becky Dopkins
I was so sorry to hear of Sylvia’s death. She was a wonderful, life-long friend to my mother, LuVerne Bredeson of Starbuck. She stayed with my mother when she was in town for a class reunion in recent years. I recall having a nice conversation with Sylvia at the time of my mother’s death several years ago. It is so hard to lose the folks of this generation. I share your sorrow but also rejoice in the many great memories you must have of Sylvia.