Barbara “Dolly” A. Schram

She was born on July 28, 1931, in Gladstone, the daughter of the late Peter and Barbara (Rodman) Semashko. She attended the Gladstone Schools followed by medical laboratory school in Minneapolis.

Barb married Jim Schram on Nov. 16, 1955, at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. They were married for 63 years until the time of Jim’s passing.

Barb was a member of St. Agnes Church in Iron River, as well as St. Mary Queen of Peace Church in Kingsford. Her faith life was very important to her. She served on the funeral committee, taught CCD, and participated on the Parish Council of the Assumption Parish in Iron River.

Barb worked as a laboratory technician in Gladstone and as a cashier at the A & P store in Iron River. Barb’s true calling, however, was being a loving wife to Jim and a loving mother to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Barb always had food cooking for all the kids, the door was always wide open with everyone welcomed to make themselves at home, and her Christmas Eve celebrations were always special. Barb was the biggest cheerleader of all the kids — she never missed a school program, a sporting event, band concert or recital. She was a beautiful role model to all of the importance of faith in God, family and friends. She never cared what grades any of the kids made, but there was always to be: respect of others, politeness, caring and honesty.

Barb is survived by her five children: Peggy, Debbie (Dr. Robert) Han, Kathy (Dave) Ridolphi, Jim (Ginny) Schram, and Richard (Jessica) Schram; a brother, Richard (Judy) Semashko of Gladstone; sister-in-law, Norma Semashko of Manteno, Ill.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dan and Nancy Schram of Fort Wayne, Ind.; 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Peter, John, Robert and Francis; sisters and brothers-in-law: Gladys Semashko, Harry and Maxine Olive; and sons-in-law, Chuck Erickson and Jeff Freeman.

Father Michael Woempner will offer the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Queen of Peace Church in Kingsford, on Monday, Aug. 17, at 9 a.m. There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. Eastern time at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. As a result of the COVID pandemic, there will be no visitation, and the family requests that no flowers be sent.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Evergreen Assisted Living for all their support, caring and love during these last months of mom’s life when she was isolated from her family due to the COVID pandemic.

Condolences to the family of Barbara “Dolly” A. Schram may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.