Clarence Schwab

Clarence Schwab passed away peacefully at his home in Stratford, on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, following a long illness with cancer.

Funeral services for friends and family will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. at Kayser's Chapel of Memories in Moses Lake. Following will be internment at Stratford Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.

He was born in Ritzville on Oct. 29, 1926, to Fred and Anna (Boos) Schwab. He was the fourth of five children. At age 3 the family moved to Wilson Creek where Clarence grew up. He married at the age of 19 to Alene Faith Gillingham on Oct. 3, 1946, in Spokane. Five children enriched their lives - Linda, Leslie, Lilli, Carlton and Rachel. Clarence was a life long farmer who got his start at the tender age of 8 on his father's wheat ranch near Wilson Creek. His parents were German immigrants and migrants who knew the value of hard work. He received his driver's license at age 10 and was a graduate from the school of hard knocks.

Over the years Clarence farmed wheat, grains, hay and ran cattle on ranches he owned in Wilson Creek, Springdale, Dayton and Soap Lake. He lost his hand in a farming accident in 1968, but it never set him back. He never ever complained that he couldn't do something he set his mind to. He used to say he didn't belong to any clubs, he belonged to his family and his greatest joy and "hobby" was his children.

Clarence is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alene, at the family home in Stratford, three daughters; Linda and Don Rushton of Coulee City, Leslie and Gary Fanning, and Rachel and Andrew Perkins of Royal City, 16 grandchildren and 26 or so great-grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, one beloved son Carl and one daughter Lilli and he looked forward to meeting them again in heaven.