Drewes, Meta Wilhelmina (Grams) 1916-2011
DREWES, GRAMS, KASSUBE, DREWES-STOEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/24/2012 at 16:20:24
Meta Drewes, 95 of Decorah, Iowa died Sunday, December 25, 2011 surrounded by her loving family at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota from complications following an illness. A celebration of Meta’s life will be held at the Arlin Falck Assisted Living Apartments (multipurpose room) on Thursday, January 5, 2012. Rev. Joan A. Mau will be officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 P.M. on the second floor of assisted living, with the service following at 2:00 P.M. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at the Bertha Cemetery in Bertha, Minnesota.
Meta Wilhelmina Grams was born December 5, 1916 in Bertha, Minnesota. She was a daughter of Edward and Emma (nee Kassube) Grams, and she had two sisters and three brothers.
Meta attended Bertha High School and graduated as the Salutatorian of the class of 1935. Known for diligent and creative study habits, for a history project on the First World War, she decided to go straight to the source for information on this topic, so she wrote a letter to former German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II (who at that time was exiled in Holland) requesting information. To the surprise of many, this American school girl promptly received a package of useful information directly from the Kaiser himself. After working for a time following high school, in the early 1940s she met Henry Drewes, a newly hired school teacher from North Dakota who had taken a job in Bertha. They were married March 7, 1942. In 1943, Henry was drafted into the Army and served in Europe. Meta’s son John was born in 1943 during the war. Son Charles was born in 1946, followed by daughter Ellen in 1953.
The Drewes family lived first in Bertha, MN. Then they relocated to Henning, MN, Floodwood, MN, and finally Mountain Lake, MN, following Henry’s career as a high school teacher and administrator.
There was no ambiguity regarding Meta’s role in the Drewes Family. She was a master practitioner of all the talents and skills needed for mid-twentieth century homemaking. She was excellent at cooking and baking. She liked sewing and was especially good at knitting. She kept a very neat and organized house, and she always knew where the children were. All this provided a great environment for the entire family. She was a strong, cohesive force in this family up to the day she died. Her family was the focal point of her life, and she maintained an unending interest in the activities and careers of her husband, children, and grandchildren. As the children grew and developed interests in sports, so did Meta. She also followed the various Minnesota sports teams, became a Green Bay Packers fan, as did her sons. After relocating to Iowa later in life, she made the transition to following Iowa sports teams, especially Luther College athletics.
Meta and Henry made a perfect pair for 69 years, and this became ever more apparent when Meta lost her eyesight, but maintained a crystal clear memory. Henry provided the good eyes, although his memory was weakening. Each made up for the other’s deficit, and they lived independently until they were each 92 years of age. It was only when Henry’s dementia had progressed to a point where she could no longer provide the necessary care that they moved to the Arlin Falck Assisted Living Apartments. When it became necessary for Henry to move to the adjoining nursing home, Meta visited him faithfully every day. She was the quintessential care-giver. Meta met life’s challenges head-on. Despite losing her eyesight later in life, two heart surgeries, needing hearing aids, and many years of severe gastrointestinal problems, she worked hard to maintain a positive attitude toward life and be in charge of her own affairs. She made sure all the bills got paid, needing little help in organizing and monitoring her medications. Her body weakened with the years, but not her keen intellect, organizational skills, and “let’s get it done” attitude.
During the two years Meta lived at the assisted living apartments, she had the opportunity to make many new friends. That hadn’t happened for a long time. Meta’s family especially enjoyed spending time over coffee or meals with her new circle of friends. While in her apartment, Meta always looked forward to visits from daughter Ellen and her dogs, especially Trek, a year-old Standard Schnauzer. During these visits, many of Meta’s friends and other residents would greet Trek and ask about his recent show endeavors. Meta would brag to her friends about how Trek would get to the top of the stairs, and Ellen would drop the leash, as Trek would run directly to her apartment door. The move to assisted living was a very good thing!
Preceding Meta in death were her husband Henry on March 30, 2011 and son Charles on July 4, 2005; two sisters, Esther and Elsie; and one brother, Harold.
Meta is survived by a son, John Drewes (special friend Carol Warfel) of Red Wing, MN; a daughter, Ellen Drewes-Stoen (Erik) of Decorah, IA; a daughter-in-law, Jacqueline Drewes of Eaton Rapids, MI: two grandchildren: Thomas Drewes (Anne) of Raleigh, NC, and Steffi Drewes (special friend Jesse Walton) of Oakland, CA; and two brothers: Elmer Grams of New Ulm, MN and Paul Grams, of Park Rapids, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be directed in the name of “Meta Drewes” to Barthell O.E.S. Home activities program, or however the donor wishes. Messages and tributes may be left at www.fjelstul.com
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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