PEMBROKE - Mrs. Ilse W. (Muller) Gratton, affectionately called "Oma", 93, of Pembroke, passed away at the Hospice House at Concord Hospital surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law at her side, along with many friends and family holding her in their prayers during this time of her declining health. She was 100% mentally intact, brilliant and happy until the end, and she took great pride in that. Ilse lived with and was spoiled by her daughter and son-in-law for the past 3 years. She was very close to her daughter, and her passing leaves a great void. Her singing and infectious smile and happiness will be greatly missed. Prior to her declining health, she lived in Ware, Massachusetts since moving to the United States from Germany in 1973, where she lived with her husband, Roland. They took great pride in taking care of their home and children. Born in Weisbach, Germany, Ilse was the daughter of Franz Edward Muller and Lucie (Schneider) Muller. She grew up in Wurzbach, a town in Thuringia, Germany, where her parents owned a logging/wood business, which was taken over by German soldiers, along with their home. Together they were 9 siblings, all contributing to daily chores. Ilse escaped the borders of East Germany. She was captured twice, released due to her father's position in town, and then made it out the third time where she went to work at the Lindt Chocolate Factory in Switzerland. She met the love of her life in Regensburg, Germany, Roland Gratton, a 28 year United States Army veteran serving in WWII, Vietnam & Korea. They married there in 1961. Ilse was the epitome of a military wife and mother, always helping other military families with anything they needed. She loved to sew, and would sew clothing for her children, and curtains for military housing apartments, and so many other creations she would make. She loved to match her clothing to her daughter's clothing! After moving to the United States, Ilse loved to care for her large garden and would pickle, can, cook or bake anything growing. She loved to bake and cook, always baking German Stollens, and had a secret recipe that everyone loved. She loved baking German cookies and hazelnut cakes, and would give locals in town, whether it be the post office, police station, fire station, VFW or just anyone she would come across. She loved living in her small town, and loved her neighbors on Laurel Drive. Her sister, Elizabeth, was a German ballerina, and met her husband while performing for them as he was a Merrills Marauder coming out of operations. Both her and her sister went to the United States via military orders, and they kept in touch with each other daily and spent much time together visiting. In her later years, she loved to watch wrestling as she always did with her husband, and she was always smiling and happy with a positive attitude about everything. She looked forward to watching "Lets Make a Deal", "General Hospital", and her wrestling. She could tell you everything about almost any wrestler going back to the 70s. She also enjoyed writing cards and letters, and sending packages to family and friends, never forgetting birthdays or holidays. She would speak with her family in Germany pretty much daily, and loved listening to German music. She was an avid news watcher, and could tell you about almost anything going on in the country and world. She didn't like going to bed until the news was done. She was also an avid New England Patriots and Red Sox fan, always looking forward to the games, and always knew the dates and times they were playing. Ilse was predeceased by her husband, Roland Gratton; her siblings: brother Heinz Muller and his wife Ruth of Lobenstein, Germany; sister Lilli Paintner of Munich, Germany; sister Elizabeth Ward and her husband Charles of Johnson City, TN; Hermann Muller and his wife, Josephine of Seligenthal, Germany; brother Hans Muller of Seligenthal, Germany; sister Senta Muller of Berlin, Germany. Ilse is survived by her children, daughter, Debrarose Gratton Alvarez and her husband Elvin of Pembroke, NH; her son, Roland E. Gratton of Ware, MA. Her grandson, Joseph Gratton and his wife, Shannon of Holliston, MA; her grandson, Randy Gratton and his wife, Taylor of Ware, MA; her great grandchildren: Lorenzo, Xander and Andreina Gratton, and James and Kobe Gratton; her sister Thea Huhndorf and her husband, Klaus, of Berlin, Germany whom she spoke with almost daily. Her brother, Franz Muller and his wife Wally of Wurzbach, Germany. She is also survived by several other family members in Germany and the United States. In accordance with her wishes, her funeral service and burial will be held privately with the family at a graveside service where she will be buried with her beloved husband. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Roan Family Funeral Home of Pembroke. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com