Marlys Crabtree

Marlys (Schmidt) Crabtree age 88 of Nashua, IA, died Thursday, October 24, 2019, in Lenexa KS. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, NOVEMBER 9, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Charles City, IA, with Rev. Gary Mayer celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Charles City. Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday NOVEMBER, 8, 2019, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory - Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday. Marlys, the daughter of Philip and Thelma Paulus, was born on October 31, 1930, near Rockford, Iowa. She was raised in a happy household on a farm and considered herself to be a farmer her entire life. After graduating from Rockford High School, she worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell until marrying Herbert (Herb) Schmidt in 1954. They moved to Nashua where they farmed and raised their family. After Herb’s passing, Marlys continued operating the farm for another year with the help of family and friends. Marlys later married Robert (Bob) Crabtree of Nashua, Iowa. They enjoyed fishing in Minnesota, restoring Model A’s and showing them in local parades. They spent many warm winters with friends in Florence, Arizona returning in the spring after the Iowa snow melted. A distinguishing characteristic of Marlys was her strong work ethic which she taught to her sons. In addition to farming, she worked as a secretary for the Wayne Peterson Insurance Agency and the Nashua High School. After moving from the farm, she finished her working career as a teller for the First Nashua State Bank. Outgoing in spirit, Marlys was a “people” person through and through, greeting everyone with a warm smile and conversation. She always made people laugh and feel better about themselves. She loved attending her sons’ sporting events and remained a sports fan until her passing. Marlys loved her family, enjoying gatherings especially with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a big supporter of Herb’s involvement in Chickasaw County 4-H and the Big 4 Fair during their farming years. Marlys was also active for many years at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Nashua and was a member of various clubs including the Women’s Club of Nashua. Marlys was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands’ Herb and Bob, and her beloved sister Shirley Stadtlander. Marlys is survived by her two sons and their wives Gary and Barbara Schmidt and Daniel and Christine Schmidt, 4 grandchildren Abby (Jake) Ruppert, Brandi (Cole) Johnson, Garrett (Jennifer) Schmidt, and Rebecca Schmidt; and 5 great-grandchildren, Easton and Allie Johnson, and Morgan, Brooke, and Lucy Ruppert. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Nashua Women’s Club to the attention of Kay Brunner at P.O. Box 761, Nashua, IA 50658; or to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 106 Chapel Lane, Charles City, IA 50616.