Luella Grams

Doniphan resident, Luella Grace (Messman) Grams, 90, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Thursday, June 20, 2013; 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Hastings with Rev. Dr. William Nottage-Tacey and Rev. Kendra Grams officiating. Burial will be Friday, June 21, 2013; 2:00 P.M. in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska. Memorials may be given to the family's choice. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 19, 2013; 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service.

Luella Grace (Messman) Grams, daughter of Edward and Ella (Geistlinger) Messman, was born January 3, 1923 at Hallam, Nebraska. Her father died in 1934 and her mother later moved, with her children, from the family farm at Hallam to rural Crete, Nebraska, for a time and then to Lincoln, Nebraska. Luella received her formal education in the Public Schools of Lancaster County, Nebraska. She entered the work force of Lincoln, Nebraska, at an early age, in an effort to assist her mother with family needs. She married Dale L. Grams, July 8, 1941, in the First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, Arkansas. Two sons, Kenton L. and Kevin D. were born of this marriage. She moved to California in 1942, to be with her husband, who was on active duty with the U.S. Army. Following her husband's departure for North Africa, during World War II, she returned to Lincoln, Nebraska. She was employed at the U.S. Air Force Base at Lincoln, Nebraska and later at the Western Electric Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. She and her husband moved from Lincoln, Nebraska to Denver, Colorado, in 1946, subsequent to his transfer as an employee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. While residing in Colorado, she assisted an Aunt and Uncle, on a part time basis, in the care and maintenance of their property. Her son Kenton was born while the family lived in Colorado. She, with her husband and son, moved from Denver, Colorado, to a farm near Upland, Nebraska in 1951. Her son Kevin was born while the family lived near Upland. They engaged in farming operations until 1959, at which time, they moved to Campbell, Nebraska. She moved with her husband to Axtell, Nebraska in 1972, following his transfer, as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service transferred her husband a second time and she moved with him to Doniphan, Nebraska in 1977. In addition to caring for her family and home, she performed countless hours of volunteer work, outside the home, in connection with church, civic, community and school activities. At the time of her death, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, Nebraska, V.F.W. Auxiliary, N.R.L.C.A. Auxiliary and numerous other christian and civic organizations.

Luella was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lee Messman and Elmer Messman; and sisters, Leona Green and Merlin Grieser.

Survivors include:
Husband: Dale L. Grams - Doniphan, NE
Sons & Spouse: Kenton L. & Bonnie Grams - Hastings, NE
Kevin D. Grams - Lincoln, NE
Grandson & Spouse: Braden Grams & Wife Aaltje Baumgart - Chicago, IL
Granddaughter & Spouse: Kendra Grams & Husband Ted Carroll - Rockville, MD
Sister: Leora Tilley - Saugus, MA
Brother: Earl Messman - Denton, TX
Numerous Nieces & Nephews