Edna Rabe (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Edna Elizabeth Rabe, daughter of James Alexander and Berniece Schelzel Martin, was born September 28, 1939, in Exeter, New Hampshire. She departed this life Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in Barnes Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of seventy-one years, eight months, and three days.
On June 22, 1957, she was united in marriage to James L. Rabe, Sr., and to this union two daughters and three sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, David Martin; and three sisters, Mildred Butler, Lee Masters, and Ruth Young.
Edna is survived by her husband, Jim, of the home; two daughters, Sharon Gray, and her husband, Chris, of Elyria, Ohio, and Julie Cones, and her husband, Carl, of Lebanon, Missouri; three sons, James Rabe, Jr., and his wife, Bonnie, Scott Rabe, and his wife, Lisa, all of Lebanon, Missouri, and Barry Rabe, and his fiancée, Rachel, of Branson, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Scott, Katie, Ashley, Amanda, James, Collin, and Abby; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in Summerville, Massachusetts, where she met her future husband, James, at the age of seventeen. After graduating from high school, she and James were married, and they lived in various places while James was serving in the military. During those years, Edna was a devoted homemaker and loving mother to her family. In 1975, James retired from the military and the family moved to Lebanon, Missouri. Shortly after coming to Lebanon, Edna entered nursing school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. For a short time she worked in area nursing homes, but for most of her career she was at the Fort Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. She worked in the surgical department for several of her years at the hospital.
Edna had professed her faith in Christ and was an active member of Community Baptist Church.
In her spare time she enjoyed traveling, cooking, being with her family and especially taking care of her grandchildren. Throughout the years, Edna maintained her New England accent, and always freely spoke her mind. She possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved to laugh.
Edna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends.
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