OraLee Grabau

ORALEE GRABAU

Marion

OraLee Eltha Grabau, 105, of Marion, passed away Friday, July 22, 2016, at Winslow House Nursing Home, Marion. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Marion, by the Rev. Gregory R. Williamson. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Marion. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her son, Leonard "Morris" of Marion; eight grandchildren, Beth Grabau of Adel, Allen (Linda) Grabau of Williamsburg, Jill Grabau of Waverly, Joel (Candace) Grabau of Robins, Walter and Earl Grabau of Central City and Mimz Anna and Gordon Grabau of Marion; seven great-grandchildren, Tia, April and Levi Grabau of Williamsburg, Celina Young of Waverly, Adam Grabau of Marion and Chase and Morgan Grabau of Robins; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

OraLee was born Sept. 5, 1910, of pioneer descendants Anna May (Olson) and Morris Kite Noland in a three- room cabin in Boone County. She attended a one-room school and graduated from Woodward High in 1929. She married Leonard H.A. Grabau on June 6, 1934, in Woodward. She attended Simpson College, where she received her teaching diploma. She also attended Chico State College in California and Coe College for refresher courses. OraLee taught school for over 42 years in rural Iowa and at Linn-Mar Elementary until her retirement in June 1976.

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran, where she was a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher for 40 years, a charter member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League for 60 years, and a member of Community Concern and Youth Ladies at Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca. She organized the making of and herself sewed thousands of quilts for world relief efforts, was recognized by Sertoma Club for service to mankind in various areas, and was a den mother for the Cub Scouts. OraLee was a volunteer 4-H leader for 49 years and was a proud charter member of the Iowa State 4-H Hall of Fame. Her first visit to the Iowa State Fair was in 1911, the same year as the first butter cow. She also was recognized three times by Gov. Branstad with an Iowa Centenarian Certificate.

Though it is difficult to sum up an entire 105-year life in a few paragraphs, the events she was involved in kept OraLee "young at heart." She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom were her pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard; son, Zane; and daughter-in-law, Normajean.

Memorials may be directed to the Iowa East District Lutheran Women's Missionary League or Iowa 4-H Foundation.

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