Melvin Grams

Melvin "Mel" Grams, 87 year old resident of Little Falls, MN died Friday, August 17 at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 20 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN. with Father Nicholas Landsberger officiating. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. Friends may gather from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday evening at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN and from 9:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Christian Mothers will pray the Rosary at 4:30 P.M. followed by Parish Prayers at 5:30 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home. Military Rites will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the Little Falls VFW Post #1112. Mel was born June 5, 1925 in Sauk Rapids, MN to the late Edmund and Cecilia (Deglman) Grams. On October 12, 1943, Mel enlisted into the United States Air Force and was stationed in England and served his country during World War II. He was honorably discharged on November 16, 1945. Mel received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart during his distinguished military career. Mel was united in marriage to Louise Margaret Mergen on May 27, 1946 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in St. Cloud, MN. The couple moved to Kansas City, MO, where he 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 1961. In 1962, Mel and Louise moved to Little Falls, MN where Mel worked for Wetzel's Diamond Sign Jewelry until 1975. The couple started Melgram Jewelers in Little Falls, MN in 1975. Mel sold the business to his sons, Gregg and Chris in 1987. He continued working alongside his sons fixing clocks in the family business. Mel and his family enjoyed the time they spent together at the family's lake home on Lake Alexander. Mel and Louise also wintered for ten years in Sun City, AZ. Mel was a member of the Little Falls Rotary Club, Little Falls American Legion Post #46, Little Falls VFW Post #1112 and St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mel enjoyed tinkering with clocks, numerous wood working projects and golfing with the Canadian Club. Mel's children remember him as a father who could build and fix everything. Mel was a Teddy Bear of a man. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Louise Grams, of 66 years; children, Richard Grams of Analaska, 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; brother, Robert Grams of St. Cloud, MN; 37 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Cecilia Grams; daughter, Mary Wawrzyniak and a great-grandson, Ethan Kestner.