Estella Mae Schrum

Funeral Service THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011, 10:00 AM TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH MANILLA, IOWA Officiating REVEREND ROSS FRITZ Music "AMAZING GRACE" "ON EAGLE'S WINGS" CONGREGATION "THE OLD RUGGED CROSS" MARK GRUNDMEIER, VOCALIST SUSAN LAMB, ORGANIST Casket Bearers BRIAN MILLER DENNIS KAHL GERALD JURGENSEN HAROLD JURGENSEN JEFF MUHLBAUER MARK GRUNDMEIER Honorary Casket Bearers KARI MILLER NIKI KAHL JT and KENNADY MILLER HARRISON, MORGAN and COLBY KAHL Interment NISHNABOTNA CEMETERY MANILLA, IOWA Estella Mae was born on March 27, 1927 to Claus and Emma (Kai) Thomssen in Iowa Township, Crawford County, Iowa. She was baptized on October 16, 1927 by Rev. F.C. Israel into the Lutheran faith. Estella was confirmed on April 15, 1943 by Rev. J.M. Ansorge. She attended school in Crawford County. On September 14, 1950 Estella was united in marriage with Lester Schrum by Rev. J.M. Ansorge. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary together in 2010. The couple resided in Manilla, Iowa all their married life, and attended Trinity Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with one child, Debra. Debra married Gary Keesling and Estella treated him like a son, nicknaming him "Sonny". Estella was a homemaker and caregiver. She was devoted to taking care of her family, neighbors and friends. In the fall she worked for Horizon Seeds as a corn sorter. Besides her family, her other pride and joy was her garden, which never had a weed in it. Their lawn won "Lawn of the Month" in Manilla. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Estella helped with poppy sales and baked cookies to be sent to the veterans in hospitals. Estella also participated in placing flags on gravesites for Memorial Day. In her spare time, Estella enjoyed making matching outfits, dresses and quilts for her granddaughters when they were younger, and babysitting the children of special family and friends. Whenever she was given fruits or vegetables, they were canned, pickled, or made into pies. Estella loved to cook for Sunday noon meals and holidays. Family favorites included rye bread, meatballs, potato salad, German pancakes and gluten free cookies and cakes for her daughter. On January 8, 2011 Estella suffered a stroke. After being hospitalized she moved to the Manilla Manor Nursing Home on January 18, 2011, where she went to be with her Lord on Monday, March 28, 2011, at the age of 84 years. Preceding Estella in death are her father Claus Thomssen in 1944; mother Emma Thomssen in 1948; brother Henry Thomssen in 1978 and wife Florence in 1990; sister Verna in 1979 and husband Peter Jurgensen in 1983; and brother Merle Thomssen in 2008. She is survived by her husband Lester Schrum of Manilla; daughter Debra and husband Gary Keesling of Denison; two granddaughters Kari and husband Brian Miller of Carroll and Niki and husband Dennis Kahl of Denison; five great grandchildren: JT and Kennady Miller of Carroll; Harrison, Morgan and Colby Kahl of Denison; sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, and other very loved family and friends.