Retha Abrams
Retha Abrams
Oskaloosa. Retha Abrams, 98, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, November 11, 2010, at the Mahaska Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born February 9, 1912, in Rose Hill, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph Waldo and Mary Lisk Sarver. She graduated from the Rose Hill High School with the class of 1929, and then attended Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) and earned her teacher’s certificate. She taught at the Burr Oak School northwest of Delta for several years, and then taught at New Providence and later at Rockwell City, Iowa. On May 26, 1939, Retha was united in marriage to Robert Nolan Abrams at Fort Dodge, Iowa; he died November 5, 1986. Together they farmed southwest of Delta until June of 1981 at which time they moved into Oskaloosa. In June, 2005, Retha moved to Maple Ridge Assisted Living and was there until October, 2010. Retha enjoyed quilting, gardening, did lots of canning, and enjoyed visiting shut ins. She was a member of Fellowship Bible Church, Oskaloosa, Union Chapel Sewing Club, the Live Wires, and Warren Homemakers. She was a faithful servant that had a lifelong love for the Lord.
Her family includes two sons and their wives: Dwight and Kaye Abrams of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Doyle and Kathy Abrams of Rose Hill; a daughter and her husband: Maxine and Gary Doty of Oskaloosa; six grandchildren: Darren (& Julie) Abrams, Karen Abrams, Julie (& Alex) Curiel, Jamie (& Harvey) McIntosh, Andy (& Stephanie) Abrams and Trina (& Mike) Sodak; 11 great grandchildren; 2 step great grandchildren; and a sister: Wanda Tysseling of Newton.
Besides her husband, Retha was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Donald Sarver and Ralph Sarver, Jr.; and three sisters: Eva Baughman Leet, Neta Snakenberg and Doris Malley.
Funeral services for Retha Abrams will be held Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Rodney De Ronde and Reverend Dave Childers officiating. Burial will be in Tioga Cemetery near Rose Hill. Visitation will begin Monday after 11 a.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be present at the funeral chapel from 6 – 8 pm to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Hospice Serenity House or Fellowship Bible Church Missions.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
