Abel Schrage

SCHRAGE, JOHNSON, KETTWIG, JUDISCH, ERDMANN, KERR, WILLBEE, KOEFOED, MENNENGA, LUBBEN, PICKERING, GARBES, KNOCK

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 7/21/2010 at 19:07:40

Abel Schrage, 87, of Shell Rock, Iowa, and formerly of Aplington, Parkersburg and Waverly, died Thursday evening, January 11, 2007 at the Shell Rock Healthcare Center in Shell Rock of natural causes.

Abel was born on June 10, 1919, in Clarksville, Iowa, the son of Joe and Freeda (Johnson) Schrage.

He was baptized on September 21, 1919 and confirmed on March 25, 1934 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Clarksville. Abel attended grade school in Clarksville and following his schooling Abel worked as a farm hand for Paul Harris. On September 10, 1942, Abel entered the U.S. Army during WWII. Abel was united in marriage to Wilma Kettwig on November 28, 1942 in Neosho, Missouri. Abel was honorably discharged on January 22, 1946 as a Staff Sergeant with the 68th Signal Battalion. Following his discharge the couple made their home in Parkersburg, where he worked for the Dike Elevator and also Clay Equipment. In 1954 the couple moved to Shell Rock, where Abel farmed until 1970. The couple then moved to Aplington where Abel was employed at the Aplington Elevator from 1970-1981. In 2002, the couple moved to Waverly, Iowa.

Abel was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, a member of the Parkersburg American Legion and a Life Member of the Aplington Amvets. Abel was a 4-H Leader, was on the Norton Corner School Board and for over 20 years Abel and Wilma helped conduct the weekly bingo at the Aplington Amvets. Abel enjoyed being with family and friends but most of all spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Abel is survived by his wife, Wilma Schrage of the Shell Rock Healthcare Center; one son and his wife, Terry and Carolyn Schrage of Shell Rock, Iowa, one daughter and her husband, Diana and Larry Judisch of Waverly, Iowa; five grandchildren, Michael (Mary) Schrage of Salina, Kansas, Crystal Schrage of Shell Rock, Erica Judisch of Ames, Kim (Scott) Erdmann, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, Robert (Sheila) Kerr-Willbee of Mt. Pleasant; ten great grandchildren, Emily, Sarah and Andrew Abel Schrage, Grace Schrage, Jordyn and Alexis Erdmann, Shem, Gabriel, Dane and Levi Willbee; and a sister, Hannah Koefoed of Aplington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Elizabeth Mennenga, Lena Lubben, Tena Pickering, Anna Garbes, Freeda Knock; and two brothers, Henry Schrage and Abel Schrage in infancy.

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bethel Lutheran Church, 701 3rd Avenue in Parkersburg, Iowa, with Pastor Paul Schaedig officiating.

Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg, with military graveside rites conducted by the Parkersburg American Legion and Aplington Amvets.

Public visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly and also for an hour before services on Monday at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg.