Frances E. Grabau (1940-2021)

GRABAU, SMITH, SAUER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 9/27/2021 at 07:20:59

Frances Ellen Grabau (Sauer), 81, of Central City, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Funeral service:

11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Marion. Visitation:

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Marion. Private Inurnment at a later date: Jordan's Grove Cemetery.

Fran was born May 10, 1940, to Earnest George and Vesta Alice (Smith) Sauer at home in Walker Cono Township in Buchanan County during a rare snow storm. She Graduated from Brandon High School in 1958, then attended Technical College in Colorado, and after completing her schooling, she worked as a bookkeeper for Collins Radio. While working at Collins, she was set up on a blind date with B. Zane Grabau by friends. They were married on February 13, 1966. The couple had four children, three sons and a daughter: Walter Grabau of Central City, Dietrich "Earl" Grabau, U.S. Army, daughter Mimz Grabau, of Central City and Gordon Grabau of Marion. She had many passions in her life, most of all was bowling. She was a member of the Woman's National Bowling Association and competed in numerous state and national tournaments. She played a huge role in helping to coordinate the Woman's National Bowling tournament when it was in Cedar Rapids. Fran was a youth bowling coach for many years at CRBC. She volunteered as a Sunday school teacher at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion. Fran was involved in Cub Scouts, was a den leader for Gordon and Troop Leader along with Zane for Pack 44 out of Central City. She was even the leader of the Cub Scout camp at Howard H. Cherry scout reservation for several years. She was also a leader for Mimz's Blue Bird troop.

She continued to work for the Cedar Rapids Bowling Center as a league coordinator and also worked with the welcome wagon helping new residents of the Cedar Rapids join bowling leagues to help them find a place in their new community. Fran volunteered her time running the Linn County Fair food stand for 14 years in the 1980s and 1990s. Fran loved spending time with her children and grandchild, Adam Grabau of Central City. Fran was a positive influence on everyone around her encouraging them to shoot for the stars and do their best. She never judged anyone harshly understanding that anyone can make mistakes and deserve a second chance in life. Fran traveled through her life including 1980 Olympics with Zane and her children, a cruise with Zane to the Caribbean, many trips across the U.S. through 2012 when she and Zane took their final trip shortly before his death. Her final trip was in 2017 with Gordon taking a trip to Germany to visit Dietrich who was stationed there. Fran led a full life by making sure that she experienced as much as she could, in spite of the fact that some things, like flying, scared her.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Zane; and brothers, Eldon, Stephan, David and Ricky. She is survived by her children, Walter, Dietrich, Mimz and Gordon; her only grandchild, Adam; and her dog Lola "Olie."

Memorials to honor Fran may be directed to Alzheimer's and Cancer research.

Please share your support and memories with Fran's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.