Ella Brehmer

Ella, daughter of Harriett (Criswell) and William Nay Melton was born the second of five daughters in Cimarron County, Oklahoma on February 24, 1921. She passed away at her home southwest of Alva where she lived with Dennis, Teresa, Ella Suzzan, and Sylvian Cote, on the 13th of July, at the age of 86 years, 4 months and 19 days. Ella started school at Sandy Hook School in Cimarron County and attended Boise City High School. She graduated from Alva High School in 1938 and went on to graduate from Northwestern Oklahoma Teachers College in 1942. Ella taught math and science at Pond Creek, Oklahoma. On December 24th, 1942 she married Loren Brehmer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. To their marriage, four children, Janey Carrol, Marilyn, Annaliese, and Loren Henry Jr., were born. Ella and Loren made their home on the Brehmer farm with his parents, Chris and Elsie Brehmer. Ella continued to live at the farm and cared for Chris and Elsie as long as they lived. Ella raised a large vegetable garden and sold produce at the Alva Farmer's Market for several years. She was one of the first lifeguards for the Alva Municipal Pool, and also a Brownie and Girl Scout leader for numerous years. Many of Alva area children that needed love and attention, knew Ella as "Grandma Ella". She was always ready with a hug or a meal, regardless of their background, to any child or animal that came to the farm. Ella was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and an active member of the Mary Martha's women's organization. Ella was preceded in death by; her husband, Loren, daughter Annaliese, and son Loren Henry Jr., also by her parents, two sisters, Ruth Cosby and Alice Dotter, a grandson, Russell Smith, and a brother-in-law, Leo Kessinger. Ella is survived by two daughters; Marilyn and Jim Davison of Alva, Janey Carrol of Ansley, Nebraska, a daughter-in-law, Toni Brehmer Huffman of Yukon, Oklahoma. Two sisters; Esther Kessinger of Denver, Colorado and Carol and Don Talley of Amorita, Oklahoma. Two brother-in-laws; Dr. Glenn Cosby of Miami, Oklahoma, and Dr. Dale Dotter of Okeene, Oklahoma. Seven grandchildren; Christena Bryant, Lee States, Teresa and Dennis Cote, Ann Becker, a granddaughter-in-law Donna Smith, Sean and Julie Brehmer, and Christian Brehmer. Seventeen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. PDF Printable Version

Ella Brehmer

February 24, 1921 - July 13, 2007