Crabb, Walter Allen 1911-2008

CRABB, DAY, PERKINS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/23/2008 at 18:28:07

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 23, 2008

Walter "Allen" Crabb, 97, of Kingsley, died early Sunday morning, Dec. 21, 2008, at the Kingsley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Walter Allen Crabb was born May 23, 1911, in Aurelia, the son of Jennie Milicent (Day) and Albert Samuel Crabb. He was the second son and a twin son of six sons born to his parents.

Allen, as he was fondly known by his relatives and friends, graduated from Hinton High School in 1930.

Considering himself a "born farmer," Allen began his career in farming near Luton, with his father.

Allen met his future wife, Flora May Perkins, at a retreat at Camp Foster in Okoboji. They were united in marriage on Christmas Eve, 1939, at Flora May's parents' home in Sergeant Bluff. Allen and Flora May would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on Dec. 24.

In the spring of 1941, Allen and Flora May moved to the Kingsley area, and farmed north of town until they retired and moved into a home in Kingsley in 1977.

Allen loved raising livestock, tending to the land he farmed, and his John Deere "Green Machines!" He was known as, "Mr. Fix It" by his family. Allen seemed to have the knowledge and ability to build or fix just about anything, including his own farm equipment.

Allen treasured his leisure time with his wife and three daughters. He was a loving and caring family man. In his younger years, he delighted in camping trips, which included vacations from Canada to Texas and all the states in between. Allen also found great joy in reading the daily newspaper and listening to music. Often, he and Flora May were in the audience at the Grandview Park concerts in Sioux City.

Allen was a member of the United Methodist Church in Kingsley, the Cosmos Lodge, and a member of the Plymouth County Farm Bureau.

Survivors include his wife, Flora May Crabb of Kingsley; his daughter and her husband, Millie and Dr. Winston Crabb of Lincoln, Neb.; his two brothers, Wilfred Crabb of Lincoln, Neb., and Cecil and his wife, Wilma Crabb of Kingsley; his son-in-law, Alan Gernhart of Kingsley; his sister-in-law, Ruby Crabb of California; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Preceding Allen in death are his two daughters, Mary Langland and Charlotte Gernhart; his parents, Albert and Jennie Crabb; his stillborn twin brother, Wilbur Crabb, and brothers, Francis Crabb and Dr. Dayrl Crabb and his wife, Kay Crabb.

With respect to Walter's wishes, cremation has taken place. Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley is assisting Walter's family with funeral arrangements.

There will be no public visitation or service at this time, however, a memorial service is planned in the spring. Inurnment will take place at that time, in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City.