Grabe, Frances C. 1925 - 2010

GRABE, REINKING, PUTTMANN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/29/2011 at 17:56:50

Kingsley, Iowa – Frances C. Grabe, 85, of Kingsley, Iowa, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 1, 2010, at the Kingsley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2010, at the Salem Lutheran Church, rural Correctionville, with Pastor Bert Burwell, A.i.M, officiating. Interment will be in the Kingsley Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2010, at the Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley, Iowa. The family will be present from 5-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. The visitation will resume on Saturday at the Salem Lutheran Church, one hour prior to Frances’ service.

Frances Cleone Grabe was born on June 25, 1925, rural Kingsley, Iowa, to Emil and Elsie (Puttmann) Reinking. She was the first-born of two daughters and her birth was blessed when baptized at the Salem Lutheran Church. Frances attended rural country school and later, at the age of sixteen, graduated from Pierson High School. She was the secretary-treasurer of her Senior Class of 1941. Frances attended Iowa State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. While at ISU, Frances earned a letter for her abilities in archery, as well as, her teaching degree. Frances taught hundreds of students at the Kingsley-Pierson Junior High and High School where with patience and kindness, she taught the students the skills of cooking and sewing. Frances developed the first curriculum at the K/P schools for a home economics class for males.

On July 10, 1947, at the Salem Lutheran Church, Frances was united in marriage to Henry “Marvin” Grabe. They lived and farmed on the family homestead near Pierson and became the busy parents of four children. Following Marvin’s retirement, the couple moved into a home in Kingsley. Frances was very devoted to her faith and membership at the Salem Lutheran Church. She was a member of Sarah Circle, taught Sunday and Bible school, and was a wonderful leader and teacher for children and women. Frances enjoyed sewing, eating sweets, especially ice cream, playing Rummikub, and staying in close contact with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Frances is survived by her children, Mark Grabe and his wife, Cindy of Grand Forks, ND, Dan Grabe of Storm Lake, IA, Bill Grabe and his wife, Nancy of Marshalltown, IA, and Ruth Young and her husband, Kenny of Klamath Falls, OR; her sister, Elaine Ehlers of Waverly, IA; her grandsons, Todd (Jessica) Grabe, Robert Grabe; her granddaughters, Lynn (Josh) Tanner, Erin Grabe, Lori(Don) Neptun, Kim (Jim) Harms, Angie Young and Sarah Grabe. She will also be dearly missed by her great-grandchildren, Addie, Olive, Preston, Porter and Owen; and other relatives and friends. Preceding Frances in death are her husband, Marvin Grabe in March of 2001; her parents, Emil and Elsie Reinking; and her brother-in-law, Ray Ehlers.

Mauer Johnson Earnest Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa