Celebrating the Life of Anna Marie (Boerner) Aderman

Anna Marie Boerner Aderman ca. 1938-1940.

Anna Marie Boerner, my paternal grandmother, was born on this day in 1910, in Niagara, WI. She was the youngest of Martin and Katharine (Storch) Boerner‘s seven children (one of whom died a decade before Anna was born). When Anna was six years old, her mother died during a routine appendectomy. The surgeon accidentally cut Katharina’s liver and she bled to death on the operating table.

Young Ann was then raised by her father and older siblings. She married Oscar Aderman on 9 Jun 1930 and they bought her father’s house. Oscar and Ann insisted that they live upstairs with their young children and that Martin continue to live on the main floor.

As a young mother of four sons, she managed her house with vigor and compassion. She was trained in the old pioneer system of “Wash on Mondays, Iron on Tuesday, Mend on Wednesday, Churn (butter) on Thursday, Clean on Friday, Bake on Saturday, and Rest on Sunday.” I do not remember her churning butter, but the rest were a good routine for her.

One of my favorite memories of Grandma Aderman was her fascination with new ways. Even though she was a first generation German-American, her parents having immigrated from Germany, she learned to make raviolis and pizzelles from her Italian in-laws and pasties from the local English miners. She wore the most modern clothes and loved bowling and playing cards and board games. She enjoyed a glass of beer, socializing with her friends and family, and supporting her grandchildren in every way she could. And, of course, she had a grandmother’s hospitality: “Would you like another helping? Say yes.”

I am blessed to have had such a terrific grandmother!