Schramm, Gerald L. “Gerry”

Gerald “Gerry” Leonard Schramm, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Oakville, Missouri, surrounded by his family on September 20, 2025.

Gerry was born on August 5, 1942, at Lutheran Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri, to Leonard “Penny” George Schramm and Leola Barbara (nee Chalmers) Schramm. He grew up in Farmington, Missouri, and was baptized in the Lutheran faith on September 13, 1942, at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He later attended school there and confirmed his faith on Palm Sunday 1956. He was a graduate of Farmington High School in 1960 and went on to attend Mineral Area College and the University of Missouri-Columbia. At Mizzou, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in horticulture in 1965 and worked as a landscape draftsmen for all the University of Missouri campuses. In 1965, he enlisted in the Missouri National Guard where he served until 1971 and was honorably discharged as a Specialist 4. Also, during that time he served as the head groundskeeper at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis. He attended Iowa State University, later, and obtained a master’s degree in landscape architecture. After graduating, he worked as a landscape architect for Peckham-Guyton Architecture. Shortly after, in 1976, he started his own company, Schramm Design and Nursery, which he later renamed Townscape, Inc. In the 1990s, he opened Quail Creek Garden Center. In the final years of his career, he worked as a landscape architect for SFP Landscaping Inc., retiring in 2015. During his long career, he was an active member of the Landscape and Nurserymen’s Association of Greater Saint Louis. He also taught classes at Meramec Community College and was a member of the curriculum advisory board.

He was an active member of his church, serving in various roles: volunteering as an elder and usher, serving on the property management board, and being an active participant in men’s bible study. He helped manage and organize the annual Christmas tree lot at Peace Lutheran and provided the altar’s Christmas tree every year.

Gerry is survived by the love of his life, Jacqueline Ann (nee Saitz) Schramm, whom he married at Hope Lutheran Church in Saint Louis, Missouri, on June 29, 1968. They shared 57 wonderful years of marriage together. Together they had four wonderful daughters, Kristin (Kenneth) Andrews, Kari (Jason) Lovera, Tracey (Kevin) Kohm, and Jani (Rory) Brewer. He is survived also by his grandchildren, Kelly (Lauren), Jacob (Brianna), Connor (Carlie), Tyler, Trent, Faith, Hailey, Camden, Benjamin, Kennedy, Jack, and John Henry, as well as his great-grandchildren, Mabel, Greyson, and Cecelia. He is preceded in death by two of his precious grandchildren, Madison and Carter. He is survived also by his sister Barbara Ann (nee Schramm) Yancheck and countless brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gerry had a steadfast and firm Christian faith. He was assured of God’s gift of eternal life. He knew life on this earth is only our temporary home. While he was alive, he remained God’s loving servant. He taught and lead by quiet example. He worked hard, was genuinely kind, forgave easily and he had the best sense of humor. He loved his wife, his best friend, with his whole heart. They were inseparable. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, being outside and in nature, loving animals, fishing and building or fixing things. He always had his pocket knife, and always close by was his tape measure or some tool. He kept odds and ends in drawers and never got rid of a piece of scrap wood or screw, because you just never know when you could use it. He loved Stag beer and bourbon, black licorice and a good old ice cream sundae.

He loved to prank his kids and grandkids. He often put rocks in lunch boxes or hid things in salads. He would hide the grandkids shoes and put odds things, like potatoes, in their backpacks. You never knew what you were getting for Christmas… a railroad nail, a squirrel’s tail, a can of Spam, a block of wood… see that scrap wood did come in handy!

When health issues began limiting his ability to get around, he remained positive. He could have easily given up, but he never complained, just as throughout life, he rejoiced in the blessings God gave him. Without saying a word, he taught his family and those lucky enough to know him what God called us to do in Micah 6:8: “He has showed you O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

His funeral service and visitation will be on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Rd, Saint Louis, Missouri 63125. Family visitation from 9-10 am, public visitation from 10-11 am with a service to follow. Gerry will be interred at St. Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Peace Lutheran Church.