Gustav Abram

Gustav Abram, 99, of Stevensville, went to meet his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Saturday, October 4, 2014 at Pine Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Stevensville.  A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:30 A.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Andy Hannich officiating.  Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery, Stevensville.  Friends may visit with the family from 10:30 until 11:30 A.M. Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to Washington Ave. Church of God Missions or the American Cancer Society.  Those wishing to sign Gustav’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Gus was born May 23, 1915 in Leschachow, Wolinien, Poland to Adolf & Marianne (Stein) Abram.  He served for four years in the Germany Army during WWII and was a prisoner of war for four years following.  On December 3, 1949 he married the former Erna Henze in Germany.  The family immigrated to the United States, settled in the Twin Cities and Gus gained employment at Vail Rubber Works in St. Joseph.  He was a member of First Church of God and Washington Ave. Church of God where he served as choir director and on the board of trustees.  Church and family were the most important things to him.  Gus enjoyed music-playing the guitar, harmonica, violin, zither and mandolin, and enjoyed metal crafts & woodworking.  Gus is survived by his children-Rosie (Friedhelm) Schweichel of Tampa, FL, Rein (Trish) Abram of Bridgman, Ruth Abram-Ely of Tampa, FL; four grandchildren-Heidi Schweichel, Meike (Shelby) Williams, Alexandra & Alivia Abram; six great-grandchildren-Ryan, Rebecca, Hanna & Jake Hawken, Mia & Sydney Williams; and numerous nieces & nephews.  Gus was preceded in death by his wife Erna on September 15, 1997; and by siblings-Adolf Abram, Matilde Zerbin, Emilie Schroder, Emmi Abram & Marta Herzog.