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Grabau, Zane
Zane Grabau, 75, of Central City, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following a sudden illness. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Monday, March 4, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Marion, by the Rev. Greg Williamson. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Marion. Military Honors by Central City American Legion and AMVETS. Burial: Jordan's Grove Cemetery, at a later date.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Frances; his mother, OraLee Grabau of Marion; sons, Walter of Central City, Earl of Fort Sill, Okla., and Gordon; daughter, Mimz Grabau; grandson, Adam; and brother, Morris Grabau, all of Marion; and many nieces and nephews.
Byron Zane Grabau was born Nov. 21, 1937, in Boone, Iowa, the son of Leonard Henry Adam and OraLee (Noland) Grabau. He graduated from Marion High School in 1956. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1960 and served in the 2nd Armored Division. During his military service at Fort Hood, Zane was part of the Lutheran Church Walther League and helped teach a Sunday school class in Killeen, Texas.
On Feb. 13, 1966, he married Frances Sauer in Marion. Zane worked for Iowa Manufacturing for 37 years as a mechanic. He sometimes traveled to foreign countries setting up and repairing rock crushing equipment. Zane was known as “Zippo” to his colleagues.
Zane had many interests and will be remembered for his extensive knowledge. He enjoyed playing the Wii with his grandson, Adam, traveling to annual bowling tournaments, and watching his Westerns and football games on television. In his younger days, he played dartball and as an Eagle Scout, he was very involved in Cub and Boy Scouts, serving as a scoutmaster for many years.
He was a true farmer, raising sheep and enjoying his land in rural Central City. Zane liked Farmall tractors and could fix anything with bailing wire, a pair of pliers and maybe some duct tape. Zane was quite a character and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Zane had a true love for his church and was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marion. The Grabau family generously donated the church bell in 1978.
Memorials are suggested to Autism Speaks, Community Health Free Clinic in Cedar Rapids, or the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation.
Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Zane at www.stewartbaxter.com
Published March 2, 2013 in The Gazette
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