Stella Abram

Stella Abram, 75, a longtime resident of Brookfield, died May 1, 2015. Mrs. Abram was born Stella Jeanne Fransen on March 20, 1940 in Rockford, Illinois. She grew up as one of ten children in a farming family. She moved to Chicago in 1960 where she met her future husband David J Abram. They married and lived in Chicago until 1970, when their first son was born. The couple bought an old frame home on Woodside Ave in the Hollywood section of Brookfield and never left. Sprucing up their 1895 home got the Abrams interested in local history, and both played important roles in the production of Brookfield, Illinois: A History, published in 1994. Mrs. Abram was one of the writers of the book while Mr. Abram, an advertising artist by profession, handled the page design and layout duties. Mrs. Abram was also an active member of the Hollywood Citizens Association and Brookfield Historical Society. She is survived by her children, Todd A. (Julia) Abram and Douglas J. (Sarah) Abram, her grandsons John D. and Andrew R. Abram, her brothers Henry (Irene) Fransen, Ferdinand Fransen, and Frank Fransen, and her sisters Marion Reidelberger and Helen Mennenga. She was preceded in death by her husband David. An open house memorial service will be held at the family home on Sunday May 24, 2015 from 1 to 3pm. Memorial donations can be made to the Hollywood Citizens Association, P. O. Box 262, Brookfield, IL 60513. Arrangements by Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd. 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield, Il 60513. For address information call 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com