Irma M. Draves

Irma M. Draves, 99, of Fond du Lac, died on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at the Lutheran Home. She was born on July 9, 1924, a daughter of Alfred and Esther Madaus Abraham, in a farmhouse in the Town of Black Wolf, her grandmother, Wilhelmina Abraham served as the midwife. She was number five of ten children. Irma was baptized, confirmed, and graduated from St. John’s Lutheran in Nekimi. On June 1, 1946, she married Louis E. Draves at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, they were married for 53 years, until his death on August 21, 1999. They were blessed with seven children. Irma worked at Diamond Drive-In, Wells Manufacturing, and the Dartmoor Hotel, as the head housekeeper for over a decade. They managed the Forest Avenue Apartments for years. Irma was a loyal domestic employee for 30 years. Irma retired from playing baseball with her grandchildren at the age of 91. She was a member of Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church. She is survived by seven children: Dennis (Sue) Draves of Nevada, Janis (Jim) Quade of Waupun, Jerry (Jeannine) Draves of Dodgeville, Hal (Lavinia) Draves of Oakfield, Ronald (Carol) Draves of Oakfield, David (Paula) Draves of Fond du Lac, and Bonnie Alsup of Fond du Lac; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, a brother, Orville (Nancy) Abraham. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis; two grandsons: Steven Draves and Aaron Draves; great granddaughter Hailey, and her siblings: Lucile (Lester) Rickert, Lawrence Abraham, Clarence “Butch” Abraham, Rhea “Tessie” (Bruno) Redman, Marvin (Betty “Bimmie”) Abraham, LaVerne “Boots” (Forest) Wolf, Norbert (Louise) Abraham, sister-in-law, Mary Ann Abraham, and Alfred “Skeeter” (Barbara) (Judy) Abraham. VISITATION: The visitation will be from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, 20 Wisconsin American Drive, Fond du Lac. SERVICE: The funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Tom Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Ledgeview Memorial Park. Special thanks to the 2nd floor staff at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home for their care and concern shown to Irma and family.

Irma M. Draves

July 9, 1924 - October 15, 2023