Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
OSCEOLA, Wis. — Anna Melba Lauraine Bramer was born May 7, 1915, in Mass, Mich., to William and Senja Hill and died on July 5, 2013, at Osceola Hospital, after a brief illness.
She had been residing with her brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Martha Hill.
Melba graduated from Wakefield High School in 1933 and was a member of the National Honor Society. Melba graduated from Northern Teacher's College, Marquette, in 1938 and earned a master of arts degree in 1962. She taught in Rockland, Nahma, Rapid River, Pontiac and Manistique.
In 1940, Melba married her college beau, Llewellyn "Lew" Bramer. In 1969, the Bramers retired and began to spend winters in Indio, Calif., and summers at their home in Upper Michigan, near Isabella. While in California, Melba enjoyed substitute teaching and volunteer work.
Melba's husband, Lew, died in 1989.
Melba then came to live in Escanaba and joined Christ the King Lutheran Church. She served on the church council, was a delegate to synod meetings, participated in the afternoon Bible study group, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the church quilting group.
She also enjoyed being a volunteer receptionist at Bonifas Art Center and helped out at the Bay College library and the Escanaba public library's book sales. The Bramers were also members of the Foundation Club at Bay College.
Melba is survived by a brother, Peter (Martha) Hill, Osceola; sisters-in-law Carol Hill, Sturgis, S.D., Leona Hill, Wakefield, and Carmela Hill, Lansing; a beloved foster daughter Darlene (William) Domowicz, Gwinn; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, the Rev. Jack Hill, Richard Hill, Raymond Hill and the Rev. William Hill; a sister, Margaret Hill; and her stepmother, Viano (Syrjala) Hill.
Her funeral service will be held at the Anderson Funeral Home, Escanaba, on Thursday, July 11, 2013, at 11 a.m. EDT, with visitation an hour before the service. Her nephew, Andrew Hill, will officiate.
Burial will take place at Gardens of Rest Cemetery, Wells, following the service.
