Loretta Schramer

NAME Loretta A. Schramer, age 87, of Virgil, passed away at her home, surrounded by the love of her family, on Sunday, April 05, 2009. Though her body battled and lost, Loretta claims the victory of her Savior and walks among the angels in Heaven. BORN: She was born on the family farm, January 17, 1922 the daughter of John and Margaret (Loerzel) Schmitt in Virgil, IL.EARLY YEARS :Loretta was no stranger when it came to hard work while growing up on the farm. She cooked and cleaned for her family, as well as many others, all while attending S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic School. MARRIAGE Loretta caught the eye of the "boy next door", Matt Schramer, who literally lived on the farm next door. Before long they shared a love that blossomed into marriage on October 7, 1940 at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Virgil. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: Shortly after they exchanged vows, Loretta and Matt moved to the Klingbeil Farm on Lees Road where Matt worked as manager. In 1958, the family moved to Virgil on Meredith Rd. On December 19, 2001, Matt passed away. Loretta continued to live in the family home filling it with family and memories that will be cherished by all. MEMBERSHIPS Loretta was a faithful member the church as well as the Altar and Rosary Society at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Virgil. She also counted thousands of votes working as an election judge for over twenty-five years. LIFE NOTES In her younger years, Loretta could be found playing the guitar at local hometown talent shows and barn dances. She even heard herself on the radio. Family was paramount to Loretta and home made sticky buns were the physical manifestation of that love; everyone had their own pan during the holidays. Birthday cards always contained an "I love you" as well as the prerequisite five dollars and each birthday and anniversary were laid out in what eventually became a very crowded calendar. Loretta and Matt played many rounds of Rummy every night even though he almost always lost. When company came the game changed to Pitch and her dominance continued. When asked what made her family so special, Loretta didn’t hesitate with a litany of reasons and numerous blessings. Many times when there is a large family there can be friction between siblings and their own families, but not the Schramers. Almost all of them lived within twenty-five miles of each other and they all came running when one of them was in need. This is the legacy of love and loyalty that Loretta instilled into her children and one that they have passed on to their children and grandchildren. SURVIVORS She now leaves her seven children:Sister Mary Louise Schramer O.S.F. of Virgil, IL,Dorothy (Pat) Burnell of Marseilles, IL, Jane (Dutch) Phillips of Kaneville, IL, Sue (Cork) Phillips of Sycamore, IL, Lorraine (Guy) Nicoll of Allen, TX, Jim (Pam) Schramer of Argyle, WI and Mike (Teri) Schramer of Elgin, IL;Eighteen grandchildren;Twenty-four great-grandchildren;Five siblings:Frances Colsten of Aurora, IL,Ralph Schmitt of Loyal, WI, Jean (George) Ramer of DeKalb, IL, John (Diane) Schmitt of Hampshire, IL and Robert (Janice) Schmitt of Hampshire, IL;Four sisters-in-law, Clara Schmitt of Maple Park,Catherine Schramer of Virgil, IL, Angela Lexa of Sycamore, IL, Marion Umbdenstock of Bartlet, ILTwo brothers-in-law, Vern Warber of Sycamore, IL, Deacon Joseph Schramer of Apple Valley, MN and a community of friends and neighbors whowill miss her greatly.PRECEDED She now joins her husband Matt, her parents and six siblings: Katherine McDonald, Louis Schmitt, Esther Warber, Nicholas Schmitt, Margaret Bewsey, and Elizabeth Sauber who preceded her in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. at S.S. Peter and Paul Parish Center on Meredith Rd., Tuesday, April 7, 2009. A wake service will conclude visitation at 8 p.m. A mass to celebrate her life will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8th; following a time of visitation from 9:45-10:15 a.m. Fr. Perfecto Vasquez, pastor of the church, will officiate and interment will follow at S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery. A video recording of the service will be available at www.conleycare.com the following day in an "on-demand" format. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in her name to benefit American Diabetes Association. Checks may be made to the "Loretta Schramer Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. at S.S. Peter and Paul Parish Center on Meredith Rd., Tuesday, April 7, 2009. A wake service will conclude visitation at 8 p.m. A mass to celebrate her life will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8th; following a time of visitation from 9:45-10:15 a.m. Fr. Perfecto Vasquez, pastor of the church, will officiate.A video recording of the service will be available at www.conleycare.com the following day in an "on-demand" format.

Interment will follow at S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery.