Erika Marie Abram

Erika was born October 25, 1931 in Munich, Germany where she met and married her future husband David M. Abram of Cassadaga, NY in 1955. She had many friends in the community due to her outgoing and pleasant personality. She was truly a “People Person” all of her life, and her excellent skills as a seamstress were widely known throughout the local area.

Erika was predeceased by her parents, Alois and Barbara (Oswald) Sturm; her son Dennis Abram; a sister Berta; three brothers, Alois, Waldemar, and Michael Sturm; and her grandson, Patrick Abram.

She is survived by her husband, David M. Abram; two sons, Shawn (Jackie) Abram and Brian (Elizabeth) Abram; and a daughter Eileen (John) Beichner; nineteen grandchildren; sixteen greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She taught sewing classes in the Adult Education program at Cassadaga Valley Central School. She also was a wonderful cook and baker, which she shared with anyone who came to her home. Erika was a life member of the Cassadaga American Legion Post 1280 Auxiliary.

She was a very active member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Cassadaga, and she was especially proud of her “St. Joseph the Worker” award which was conferred on her by the Bishop of the Buffalo Diocese. Erika was a parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church.

Calling hours will be held today, Jan. 16, from 4-7 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, 736 Central Ave., Dunkirk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. in St. Anthony’s Church, Orchard and Cushing Streets, Fredonia. Burial will be in Cassadaga Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.