Harold Schwab

Harold L. Schwab, 89 years old, passed away on May 20, 2007, at home with his wife and family at his bedside. Bom on Dec. 7, 1917, to Rose Anna Matucha and Ephraim Lewis Schwab in Platsmouth, Neb. He spent early years moving through Nebraska, South Dakota and Missouri ending up in Washington State following fruit picking seasons. Growing up in Yakima he attended Tieton High School where he was active in sports and graduated with honors. After graduation he worked on Roza Dam and worked in the orchards with his family, eventually landing a job working on Grand Coulee Dam. Harold received word that his father had been critically injured in a team runaway and went home to Moses Lake to help his mother and family.

Harold and Opal Bass eloped on Sept. 13th, 1947, and were married in Ellensburg. He supported his family in the Columbia Basin, raising horses and cattle that roamed free, with dry land farming raising wheat, rye, and barley. After O'Sullivan Dam was vbuilt farming changed to irrigated land increasing the selection of crops. While increasing his farm size his family had also grown. Together they raised 5 children, Raedell, Elizabeth, Harold, Jim, and Ephraim.

His favorite sport was being involved in rodeos as a bronco rider, and enjoying hunting and fishing. He is one of the founding fathers of Columbia Basin Rodeo. He was active in his community belonging to the Eagles, Odd Fellows, Moses Lake Grange, O'Sullivan Community Club, Columbia Basin Rodeo Association, 4-H leader, and a board member of Grant County Fair. Harold retired from farming in 1998. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Manuel Schwab, died as an infant, Wayne Schwab, Ephraim Schwab, Melvin Schwab. He is survived by his wife, Opal Schwab, sister Louielee Koerlin, daughters, Raedell Booker, Elizabeth Schwab, sons, Harold Schwab Jr., James (Jim) Schwab, and Ephraim Schwab, grandchildren, Doug Booker, Michael Booker, Amanda Booker, Amy Kauffman, April Wash, Harold Schwab III, Kathleen Schwab, and Madelyn Schwab, and 12 great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at the Chapel of Memories Friday, May 25 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, scholarship donations can be made to the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association.

PO Box 367

Moses Lake, WA 98837

509-765-6393