Louise Margaret Grams

Louise M. Grams, 88 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, died on Thursday, May 8 at the Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Little Falls, MN, under the care of Unity Family Home Care and Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 12, 2013, at 11:30 A.M. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN, with Father Nicholas Landsberger officiating. The burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, May 11 from 4:00-8:00 P.M. and from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 12 at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN.A Christian Mothers Rosary will be said at 4:30 P.M. followed by the Parish Prayers at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN.

Louise Margaret Mergen was born September 13, 1925 in Farming Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to the late John and Gertrude (Holthaus) Mergen. Louise attended school in Albany, MN, graduating with the class of 1943. After high school, she worked as a waitress for a short time.She moved to Chicago, IL and worked as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II. She was united in marriage to Melvin Mel Grams on May 27, 1946 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN. The couple moved to Kansas City, MO, where Mel attended watch making school. In 1949, the couple moved to St. Cloud, MN, where Mel served his apprenticeship at Stafford Jewelry in St. Cloud, MN. The couple moved to West Liberty, IA in 1959 and then to Sioux City, IA in 1961and Little Falls in 1962. In 1975, they started Melgram Jewelers in Little Falls, MN. Louise worked for Bell Telephone as an operator. She also worked for St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN, for a short time. Mel sold the business to his sons, Gregg and Chris in 1987. Louise and Mel continued living in Little Falls after their retirement. She loved the color pink and she enjoyed the presence of babies.She enjoyed antiquing, collecting fine artistry, quilting and casino runs. Louise and her family enjoyed the time they spent together at the familys lake home on Lake Alexander. Louise and Mel also wintered for ten years in Sun City, AZ.Louise was an active member of St. Marys Catholic Church serving as a Christian Mother, Birth Line and Co-Chaired many events for St. Marys Church.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Richard Grams of LaCrosse, WI, Patty (Tyler) Laden of Lakeville, MN, Thomas (Mina) Grams of St. Cloud, MN, Steve (Fay) Grams of Little Falls, MN, Mark (Jeanine) Grams of Little Falls, MN, Bart (Sue) Grams of Blaine, MN, Harlan (Mary Beth) Grams of Little Falls, MN, Gregg (Jean) Grams of Little Falls, MN, Chris (Christine) Grams of Little Falls, MN, Paul (Lori) Grams of McGregor, MN, Ron (Holly) Grams of St. Cloud, MN; son-in-law, Mitchell Wawrzyniak of Minneapolis, MN; brothers, Mike Mergen of Albany, MN and Jimmy (Darlene) Mergen of Cold Spring, MN; brothers-in-law, Robert Grams of St. Cloud, MN and Ben Dullinger of St. Cloud, MN; 36 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gertrude (Holthaus) Mergen; husband, Melvin Mel Grams; daughter, Mary Wawrzyniak; granddaughter, Penny Kerber; great-grandson, Ethan Kestner; siblings, Joe, Ed, John, George Mergen and Katherine Dullinger.