In Memory of Violet Anna Schau

Violet Anna Schau, age 97, of Battle Creek, Iowa formerly of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Richard A. Salcido will officiate; with burial following in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

 

Violet Anna (Edens) Schau was born on October 27, 1919, in Battle Creek, Iowa. The daughter of August W. and Hilda (Miller) Edens, she was an only child. Violet attended a number of schools throughout her youth. She finished her last three years in Ida Grove and was a member of the class of 1939 alumni for Ida Grove High School, an accomplishment she was very proud of.

On April 14, 1942, Violet married Henry Schau and together they celebrated sixty-two years of marriage. Together they owned and operated Schau Trucking for many years and Violet drove truck right along with all the men. This experience set her up in her next career as a school bus driver.  A job that she totally enjoyed, Violet drove bus for Ida Grove school system for eighteen years.

Violet also filled thirty two summers of being foreman of detassling crews for Pioneer Seeds, a job she took much pride in and enjoyed; her time spent with the youth was very fulfilling for her. In her retirement years she was a Senior Aid at many places in the area. Violet loved meeting people and her true passion in life was playing music, playing the accordion, guitar, organ and harmonica all by ear. She enjoyed telling the story of playing a wedding dance for a couple when she was only fourteen years old with her guitar and harmonica.

Violet and Henry had two children, Marlyn Henry and Mareta Karen (Vermeys). Mareta’s husband Fred played music for years in the area and both Henry and Violet hardly missed a gig.  Then the Vermeys children carried on that talent with the Over the Border band including Fred who played for many of Violet and Henry’s anniversary celebrations.

Survivors include her daughter, Mareta, and her daughter-in-law, Paula; eight grandchildren: Mike (Judy), Melissa (Lyle) Isder, Monte and Mason (Alisha) Schau, Jeff, Jary (Melissa), Jay (Amy) Vermeys and Jennifer (Ray) Jackson; fifteen great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; sisters-in-law, Eunice Nepper, Donna (Tony) Schau and Margaret (Ray) Schau; extended family and friends.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband Henry; son, Marlyn; son in law Fred; two grandsons, Brandon Schau and Eric Bauer; and numerous Schau sister and brother in laws.