- Born on: September 30, 1918
- Departed on: August 5, 2018
- Resided in: Audubon, IA
Lucille Schwab
Lucille Grace was born September 30, 1918 the second child of Alvin and Mary Schrader Robinson. She was the grand-daughter of Edmund and Melvina Robinson, homesteaders to the county before the town of Audubon was platted. She joined a sister Ellen and three years later twins, Gertrude and Glenn.
Her childhood was spent in the brick home her father built for the family on N. Division Street. In those days the home was still “in the country” on the north side of Audubon. The children grew up here, playing with the cousins next door, roaming the creeks, learning to drive their Uncles old cars up and down N Division St., and being taught to cook by grandma Melvina, who let them brew beer in the basement. That didn’t work out very well as the bottles all exploded! She recalled a circus coming into town on the train and as they lived near the Chicago & Northwestern depot, they had a front row seat watching the animals coming off the train.
Lucille attended the Audubon schools, until during her freshman year, when the great depression descended, she quit school to work as a hired girl to help out the family. Lucille met a farm boy at the local county fair, Leon Schwab, and on July 3rd of 1940, they eloped to Maryville, Mo. They were married for 76 years. Lucille became a farmwife living on various rented farms as was usual in those days. In August of 1944 the couple had a daughter, Judith. In 1956 they decided to quit the farm life and moved into Audubon. There Lucille worked at the local Gambles Store and later the Audubon Produce. But they never really cared for town life, and when the opportunity presented itself, they bought an acreage in Viola Twp. In the 60’s they left the acreage and moved into the town of Gray, and in the late 80’s, they lived for a time in Coon Rapids. And finally, they moved back to Gray to be near their daughter.
Lucille grew up attending the Christian Church in Audubon. Later she was active with the United Methodist Women in both Audubon and Gray. She was also a volunteer with Caring and Sharing program.
Lucille was a born decorator with a wonderful sense of style. She loved to sew and was an accomplished seamstress, creating beautiful clothing. She always kept up with the latest fashion trends in clothing all of her life. Wherever she lived she always made a wonderfully comfortable home, wallpapering and painting the old farm homes. After her husband retired they enjoyed traveling to Colorado, fishing trips into Canada, and playing Bingo. But Lucille was never happier than when she was at home, spending time with her sisters and grand-children. There was always coffee and cake ready for every guest.
Lucille lived at the Friendship Home the last few years of her life. She passed away August 5, 2018.
Lucille had one daughter, Judith, three grandchildren, Melora Haraseth of Nekoma, N.D., Bryan, and Jared Olson of Gray, eight great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a joint “Celebration of Life” service for Lucille and her husband, Leon, at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, September 30th, Lucille’s 100th birthday.
Her childhood was spent in the brick home her father built for the family on N. Division Street. In those days the home was still “in the country” on the north side of Audubon. The children grew up here, playing with the cousins next door, roaming the creeks, learning to drive their Uncles old cars up and down N Division St., and being taught to cook by grandma Melvina, who let them brew beer in the basement. That didn’t work out very well as the bottles all exploded! She recalled a circus coming into town on the train and as they lived near the Chicago & Northwestern depot, they had a front row seat watching the animals coming off the train.
Lucille attended the Audubon schools, until during her freshman year, when the great depression descended, she quit school to work as a hired girl to help out the family. Lucille met a farm boy at the local county fair, Leon Schwab, and on July 3rd of 1940, they eloped to Maryville, Mo. They were married for 76 years. Lucille became a farmwife living on various rented farms as was usual in those days. In August of 1944 the couple had a daughter, Judith. In 1956 they decided to quit the farm life and moved into Audubon. There Lucille worked at the local Gambles Store and later the Audubon Produce. But they never really cared for town life, and when the opportunity presented itself, they bought an acreage in Viola Twp. In the 60’s they left the acreage and moved into the town of Gray, and in the late 80’s, they lived for a time in Coon Rapids. And finally, they moved back to Gray to be near their daughter.
Lucille grew up attending the Christian Church in Audubon. Later she was active with the United Methodist Women in both Audubon and Gray. She was also a volunteer with Caring and Sharing program.
Lucille was a born decorator with a wonderful sense of style. She loved to sew and was an accomplished seamstress, creating beautiful clothing. She always kept up with the latest fashion trends in clothing all of her life. Wherever she lived she always made a wonderfully comfortable home, wallpapering and painting the old farm homes. After her husband retired they enjoyed traveling to Colorado, fishing trips into Canada, and playing Bingo. But Lucille was never happier than when she was at home, spending time with her sisters and grand-children. There was always coffee and cake ready for every guest.
Lucille lived at the Friendship Home the last few years of her life. She passed away August 5, 2018.
Lucille had one daughter, Judith, three grandchildren, Melora Haraseth of Nekoma, N.D., Bryan, and Jared Olson of Gray, eight great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a joint “Celebration of Life” service for Lucille and her husband, Leon, at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, September 30th, Lucille’s 100th birthday.
