Virginia Louise Schram

On November 27, 2023, Virginia Louise Ludka Schram, 77, died unexpectedly but peacefully with her most beloved sons, Michael Dae and Ryan Joseph Schram by her side. Virginia Louise was born September 27, 1946 to Frank and Lillian Ludka in Traverse City. The family grew to eight children, Buddy, Ruth, Larry, Betty, Elaine, Ginny, Frankie and Chuckie. Virginia was baptized Catholic and received her First Holy Communion at St. Francis Church. She was chosen at the May Crowning to help carry the flowered crown for the Blessed Mother. Under the good Dominican sisters she and her classmates were guided in their love of God and taught life's lessons at St. Francis Elementary School. Ginny thrived in the lively and caring neighborhood on East Tenth street. Her special childhood friends were Kathy Vezina, Mary Roxburgh, and Jerry Martineau. During her teen years on Saturday mornings, Ginny would come down in her jammies and curlers, carrying her little portable radio with the latest hits. Her siblings would say, “Look Out! Here comes Transistor Sister!” She loved music and studied piano with Mrs. Dorothy Olson, performing in many recitals. Virginia passed down her love of music to her two sons, with Michael on the trombone, Ryan on the saxophone, and eventually to her very talented granddaughter, Vanessa on concert Viola. Under Girl Scout Leader, Mrs. Winnie Chance, the members of Troop 21 took part in many volunteer activities. In the summer, Virginia was a Teen-Aider at Camp ROY-EL for handicap children. At St. Francis High School, Virginia was a majorette in the Marching Band, sang in the Glee Club and Choir, and was inducted into the student Sodality that focused on the Catholic Faith. She excelled in math, bookkeeping and stenography. Ginny and her close friends, Connie Chance and Peggy Waukazoo, loved to attend all the dances at the high school, Tanz House, Holiday Ski Lodge, and the Athletic Club. Sock hops were extra fun! After Graduation in 1964, Virginia was hired for her clerical skills at Burwoods and then Thompson News Stand. Then Ginny bought her first car. It was a unique 1959 white Ford Skyliner “hard top” convertible. Her friends called it, “The Ghost.” On January 17, 1966, she married Edward Schram at St. Francis Church. Soon she began her career for the State of Michigan Department of Human Services in the office of Disability Determination. The Schrams built a successful business called Ed's Water Conditioning, Kinetico, with Virginia as CEO and office manager. Through Bethany Christian Services, Virginia and Ed began their family in 1985 by adopting a baby boy from Korea, Michael Dae. Four years later they traveled to Thailand to adopt a five year old little boy, Ryan Joseph. Upon arriving home at the Traverse City airport, Michael ran to Ryan with a big hug and said, “I waited a long time for you!!!” The boys became instant brothers. Virginia loved to travel. While her husband was in Vietnam she joined him in Hawaii for the Army's R & R. After his discharge, they drove a motor home cross country to the west coast, visiting National Parks along the way with their hound dog, Sid. She liked vacationing in Florida and in Las Vegas, watching her favorite entertainer, Tom Jones, perform. While raising her family, Virginia was a faithful volunteer at The Baby Pantry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She also liked to visit and walk the dogs at the Humane Society. She enhanced their home gardens by growing unique flowers and feeding the song birds. She truly created a home for her boys filled with love and family celebrations and Christian values. Their log cabin on Little Log Lake in Kalkaska became their favorite “go to” place to relax, fish, swim and boat. She was a fun loving mother who attended every event the boys participated in at St. Francis; band concerts, Gladiator basketball, track, golf, with a state championship in bowling for Ryan and a state football championship for Michael. Virginia was very proud to have two sons serve as altar boys, especially when the Bishop was celebrating the Mass. Family vacations took them to Disney World, Key West, and the Bahamas. When their mom went to Las Vegas she would always bring the boys big gulp cups filled with quarters. They also liked going to and having garage sales. They enjoyed cooking challenging recipes and “breaking bread” together. The love of her life was her granddaughter, Vanessa Dae, born in 2009 to Michael and Mindy Schram. Ginny was so happy to be a Grandma and finally had someone she could do “girl things” with. They both adored Asian décor, food, and culture. They were sweetheart angels to each other. Virginia is survived by her sons, Michael Dae Schram and Ryan Joseph Schram and her granddaughter, Vanessa Dae Schram. Also surviving are her siblings Ruth Holsather, Lawrence (Loretta) Ludka, Elizabeth Leask, Elaine (David) Kozlowski, and Charles Ludka. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews whom Aunt Ginny spoiled and held close to her heart. She also leaves behind many friends who shared friendship and laughter on her earthly journey. Virginia was preceded in death by her loving mother and father; her brothers, Francis Ludka II, Walter Bud Ludka; and Walter's wife, Julia; brothers-in-law, Wilfred Holsather, Paul Leask; and her former husband, Edward Schram. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, June 7 at St. Francis Catholic Church with father Don Geyman celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. before the Mass. A luncheon will be served in the Church Family Center afterwards for everyone. Virginia's burial will follow the luncheon at Oakwood Catholic Cemetery. Live stream and video of the Mass can be viewed at www.sfparish.org. Memorial contributions in Virginia's name may be made to Bethany Christian Services, the Women's Rescource Center, the Humane Society, Right to Life, or a charity of your choosing. Please share your memories of Virginia on her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation services.

Virginia Louise Schram

September 27, 1946 - November 27, 2023