Ethel Kroncke Schramm

Ethel Kroncke Schramm passed into eternal life on April 12^th, 2024, at home with her family at her bedside, who lovingly cared for her there. She is survived by her husband, Art, of 65 years, and five children: Suzanne Schramm (Dean) of Winston-Salem, Dr. Arthur “Skip”Schramm III (Janat) of Charlotte, Sharon Levine (Alan) of Raleigh, Benjamin Schramm (Brooke) of Youngsville,NC, and Matthew Schramm (Nikki) of Winston-Salem, 13 grandchildren: Chelsea Cott, Kate Goins, Naomi Olschner, Jessica Olschner, Chandler Schramm, Natalie Leonard, Sam Levine, Emmett Levine, Isaac Schramm, Sydney Schramm, Joshua Schramm, Hegan Schramm and Hadley Schramm, three great-children: Rory Cott, Rowen Cott and Quintin Anderson. 

Ethel was born in Bayonne, NJ, on April 10, 1940, to Eugene and Ethel Kroncke and was the oldest of eight siblings.

At the age of 16, Ethel met her husband to be, Art. They married in 1959 while Art was in the US Coast Guard. Following Art’s discharge, they started their family in New Jersey then New York, then settled in Winston-Salem for thirty years.  

Along with raising five children Ethel began working as a bank teller at the original Wachovia downtown office. She enjoyed acting and stage managing at the Little Theater. She became a real-estate broker with McNames-Sparks and Crowder Real Estate. She was a board member for the Winston-Salem Catholic Social Services, a member of Our Lady of Mercy Altar Guild and writer/editor for the parish newsletter. Ethel was actively involved in the Catholic Church’s Cursillo Movement, Marriage Encounter, and the Charismatic Renewal. 

After 30 years in Winston-Salem they transferred to N.J. where she reconnected with family and friends and became a member of the Brielle Women’s Garden Club. After 5 years she and Art retired to NC., moving to Cypress Landing in Chocowinity, NC. She volunteered at the NC Estuarium as a tour guide and was president of the philanthropic Washington Women’s Club. Ethel enjoyed Art‘s Dixieland band as they performed around the state and being involved in their church’s retiree group.

 In 2009 Ethel and Art moved back to Winston-Salem to bring them closer to their children and families and the parish at St Leo the Great. Because of her love of books she volunteered for over 12 years at the Shepherds Center of Greater Winston-Salem with their annual book sale.

Ethel’s family wants to thank the Williams ADCC, Hospice, Carolyn James and Robin Long Howard for their loving care given to Ethel at the end of her journey with Alzheimer’s. We want to thank all the doctors and medical staff that so patiently brought her through the many difficulties she encountered on that journey.

A funeral Mass and reception will be held at St. Leo Catholic Church, 335 Springdale Avenue, Winston Salem on April 30 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church or the Shepherds’ Center of Greater Winston Salem.