Opal Schwab

Opal Schwab, 86 years old, passed away on February 4, 2013 at the family farm. Born on June 20, 1926 to Bernice and Glenn Bass, in Henning Minnesota, and grew up in Olney Illinois. She completed her high school degree in 2 years and graduated from Moses Lake High School.

Opal and Harold eloped on September 21, 1947 and were married in Ellensburg. Together Harold and Opal raised horses and cattle that roamed free with dry land farming raising wheat, rye, and barley. After O'Sullivan Dam was built farming changed to irrigated land increasing the selection of crops. While increasing the farm size, their family had also increased. Together they raised five children: Raedell, Elizabeth, Harold Jr., Jim, and Ephraim.

Opal supported her husband Harold in founding the Columbia Basin Rodeo. She was an active member in the Eagles, Moses Lake Grange, United Methodist Church and O'Sullivan Community Club. Opal's favorite hobby was making cakes, which was turned into a custom wedding cake business for several years.

Opal will be remembered as being a caring mother, supportive wife, and loved to show family and friends pictures from the past. Opal was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold Schwab Sr., and one sister Lorraine Handley. She leaves behind, 2 sisters, Betty Laird, and Doris Baughman, her 5 kids, Raedell Booker, Elizabeth Schwab, Harold Schwab Jr., Jim Schwab, and Ephraim Schwab, 7 grandkids, Amy Schwab (Kauffman), April Schwab (Wash), Harold Schwab III, Douglas Booker, Michael Booker, Amanda Booker ( Delay), Madeline Forbes- Schwab, and Kathleen Schwab, and 12 great grandkids.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel of Memories. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Methodist Church designated for the soup kitchen: United Methodist Church, 746 S. Ironwood Drive, Moses Lake, WA 98837.