Abbett, Lewis Ivy

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 94QX-KY7
• _UID: FA0252108860404CBC70AA4FFE58732EEE41

Notes:

Note: Cemetery information shows his name as Abbott. This is a misspelling that slipped in the paperwork somewhere along the way.)

Parents: Andrew T. Abbett and Roxie J. (Denton) Abbett.
Married to Cecile T. Weeks on 18 Aug 1918 in Jefferson City, MO. Two children: Mildred Irene and Velma Kathleen.

Worked as a motorman (tram driver) in Kansas City, MO, where his 1st daughter, Mildred was born. When diagnosed with tuberculosis they moved to Denver, Colorado (his daughter, Velma, was born there), and then to Albuquerque, NM. In both places he continued to work as a motorman. His wife, Cecile often rode with him and took over when he was too sick to operate the tram safely. He died at the John Hopkins (tuberculosis) Sanitarium in Albuquerque, NM. He was survived by his wife, Cecile; his daughter, Velma; both parents; and 7 of 10 siblings.

He was buried 27 Mar 1923 in an unmarked grave because Cecile did not have funds for a headstone. The Mortician was Albuquerque Undertaking.
From Find A Grave

Lewis married Weeks, Cecile Thirza on 18 Aug 1918 in Jefferson county, Missouri, USA. Cecile was born on 29 May 1900 in Linn, Osage, Missouri, USA; died on 3 Sep 1988 in Stoughton, Dane, Wisconsin, USA; was buried in Three Lakes, Oneida, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: GHL9-N4L
• _UID: 718222C56D8F4BC3ABF2EB44EBC18CC2AA2A

Notes:

Mildred was the first much-loved child of Lewis Ivy Abbett and Cecile Thirza (Weeks) Abbett. The photo is her at 6 mos. She died at 10 mos, 11 days.

There is some confusion on the spelling of the name. The gravestone shows Abbott. Her mother spelled the last name as Abbott in several places and Abbett in others. Most of her father's family spells the name as Abbett.
From Find a Grave

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: L6VN-Z8M
• _UID: CE3342A3AB00452BAF9794FB9371C15DF86F

Notes:

Velma was born in Denver, CO, where her parents had moved because of her father's tuberculosis. Shortly after her birth they moved on to Albuquerque, NM, also because of her father's tuberculosis. Her father died a few years later. She and her mother returned to Kansas City, where her mother, Cecile, married and divorced (1923-24). Cecile then moved to Three Lakes to marry her 3d husband. Velma spent her childhood in Three Lakes, WI, where her step-father raised fox and then developed a 3-cabin resort. It was a happy childhood with little money and lots of love.

Velma met her first husband, James Elmer Warren, while they both served in the Army in Florida during WWII. She was a punch-card operator. They married in 1945 and their daughter was born in 1946. After leaving the Army he deserted his family, and they were divorced in 1949.

Velma was a waitress and assistant restaurant manager for about 10 years in various locations before opening her own cafe in Laona, WI. It was there she met her second husband, Felix J. Grumann, who owned the TV repair shop next door. They were married on 2 Feb 1960 and had a son 2 years later. About 1968 they left Laona, moved to Neenah, WI, and eventually settled in Oregon, WI.

Velma was very artistic and enjoyed a variety of crafts. After settling in Oregon, WI, Felix went to work for the State and Velma began selling some of her art in various craft fairs around the State. She also had a couple of one-person shows around Madison. Eventually they turned the front-room of their home into a shop selling Velma's "nature art" (collages made from parts of plants). She eventually wrote a book, "Nature Art", showing others how to create similar creations.

When Felix was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they sold their home and moved into senior housing. When she was no longer able to care for Felix, she moved him to a nursing home in Crandon, WI, so that he would recognize names and locations that he would hear on radio and television. This was tough because Velma didn't drive. Once a month she would travel 6 hours by bus to visit him.

Velma died in a hospital in Madison, WI, from heart and lung disease. She was buried next to her beloved husband, Felix J. Grumann.
From Find A Grave