Frances Schaben
January 6, 1934 — July 16, 2024
Frances Mary (Haren) Schaben
After many years of marriage and well into their 30s, John and Frances Haren were ecstatic to be finally expecting their first baby. Frances Mary Haren (Mom) decided to surprise them and so arrived early on January 6, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Not sure how early but Mom often boasted she was small enough to fit into a shoe box). Excitement was short lived however, as Mom's mother Frances, soon died due to complications of childbirth.
Her widowed Father was forced to make a tough decision and asked his married cousin Alice Canfield to please consider raising Mom. Alice agreed and infant Frances was then welcomed into the Canfield home. She thrived being the "baby sister" to the couple's three elder daughters; all of whom were already married with families of their own. This resulted in Mom growing up with lots of same-aged cousins with whom she developed lifelong bonds.
After graduating from Dunlap High School in 1953, Mom decided to give nursing school a shot. That was short lived however - either because of her confessed excuse about an anatomy class, that included dissecting a pregnant cat, or because she had met Ray Schaben while roller-skating. I mention Ray "Schaben" because while looking through Mom's old photo albums the other boys pictured were simply, Jack, Joe etc. only Ray Schaben's surname was mentioned. Leads one to wonder why she really left nursing school!
Regardless, it was a good decision as she and Dad were married Feb 14, 1955, a union that lasted over 60 years. One chuckle - their honeymoon to Texas was cut short - farrowing hogs of course. Mom learned early on about the farming life they were entering.
Mom loved her next chapter. Her goal from a very young age was to have 12 kids. And they nearly achieved it as they welcomed 11 babies over the course of the next 15 years. Mom embraced the country life and every spring she planted a large vegetable garden and then spent many hours canning and freezing the fruits of her labor. Raising her family was her passion and joy.
Somehow Mom found a way to make each kid feel special; be it a First Communion Cake, a 10 year old birthday bash, or orchestrating a High School Graduation Party. She attended all of our band concerts, wresting meets, baseball, softball, and basketball games. She welcomed our friends be it for a meal or to spend the night. Christmas was Mom's favorite holiday. She went to extremes decorating the house, baking cookies, and for a time preparing a special candle-lit Christmas Eve dinner (that ended when someone's shirt caught on fire).
Uncertain if raising her family or welcoming her grandchildren was higher on Mom's list. For sure her eyes would light up when she heard of a new pregnancy or when the grandkids came to visit, color Easter Eggs or accompany her on a trip to Adventure-Land. It's no doubt her grandkids and now her great-grandkids brought her much pride and joy.
So, it's with mixed emotions that we say good-bye Mom. We will miss you but feel so blessed to have had you for our mother and grandmother. You leave behind a family that will cherish our memories with you for evermore. One of your granddaughter's summed it up perfectly: "To the woman behind all of the best holiday traditions and a home to hang out, who selfishly gave us so much of her time and energy. Thank-you, Grandma, for overfilling our memory bank."
The last couple of years have been difficult but we know you are now at peace. Finally, you get to hug your Mother; and you have been welcomed to your heavenly home with open arms by Dad, Rick and Shirley.
We love you more!
She is survived by her children, Kathy (Jim) Fawcett of Solon, IA, Randy (Ronda) Schaben of Portsmouth, IA, Jerry “Turtle” Schaben of Buck Grove, IA, Larry (Shelli) Schaben of Earling, IA, Jeff (Joy) Schaben of Westhalia, IA, Sue (Tate) Graeve of Earling, IA, Jeanie (Gary) Schmitz of Missouri Valley, IA, Sam (May) Schaben of West Des Moines, IA,Jon (Darla) Schaben of Grimes, IA; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
After many years of marriage and well into their 30s, John and Frances Haren were ecstatic to be finally expecting their first baby. Frances Mary Haren (Mom) decided to surprise them and so arrived early on January 6, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Not sure how early but Mom often boasted she was small enough to fit into a shoe box). Excitement was short lived however, as Mom's mother Frances, soon died due to complications of childbirth.
Her widowed Father was forced to make a tough decision and asked his married cousin Alice Canfield to please consider raising Mom. Alice agreed and infant Frances was then welcomed into the Canfield home. She thrived being the "baby sister" to the couple's three elder daughters; all of whom were already married with families of their own. This resulted in Mom growing up with lots of same-aged cousins with whom she developed lifelong bonds.
After graduating from Dunlap High School in 1953, Mom decided to give nursing school a shot. That was short lived however - either because of her confessed excuse about an anatomy class, that included dissecting a pregnant cat, or because she had met Ray Schaben while roller-skating. I mention Ray "Schaben" because while looking through Mom's old photo albums the other boys pictured were simply, Jack, Joe etc. only Ray Schaben's surname was mentioned. Leads one to wonder why she really left nursing school!
Regardless, it was a good decision as she and Dad were married Feb 14, 1955, a union that lasted over 60 years. One chuckle - their honeymoon to Texas was cut short - farrowing hogs of course. Mom learned early on about the farming life they were entering.
Mom loved her next chapter. Her goal from a very young age was to have 12 kids. And they nearly achieved it as they welcomed 11 babies over the course of the next 15 years. Mom embraced the country life and every spring she planted a large vegetable garden and then spent many hours canning and freezing the fruits of her labor. Raising her family was her passion and joy.
Somehow Mom found a way to make each kid feel special; be it a First Communion Cake, a 10 year old birthday bash, or orchestrating a High School Graduation Party. She attended all of our band concerts, wresting meets, baseball, softball, and basketball games. She welcomed our friends be it for a meal or to spend the night. Christmas was Mom's favorite holiday. She went to extremes decorating the house, baking cookies, and for a time preparing a special candle-lit Christmas Eve dinner (that ended when someone's shirt caught on fire).
Uncertain if raising her family or welcoming her grandchildren was higher on Mom's list. For sure her eyes would light up when she heard of a new pregnancy or when the grandkids came to visit, color Easter Eggs or accompany her on a trip to Adventure-Land. It's no doubt her grandkids and now her great-grandkids brought her much pride and joy.
So, it's with mixed emotions that we say good-bye Mom. We will miss you but feel so blessed to have had you for our mother and grandmother. You leave behind a family that will cherish our memories with you for evermore. One of your granddaughter's summed it up perfectly: "To the woman behind all of the best holiday traditions and a home to hang out, who selfishly gave us so much of her time and energy. Thank-you, Grandma, for overfilling our memory bank."
The last couple of years have been difficult but we know you are now at peace. Finally, you get to hug your Mother; and you have been welcomed to your heavenly home with open arms by Dad, Rick and Shirley.
We love you more!
She is survived by her children, Kathy (Jim) Fawcett of Solon, IA, Randy (Ronda) Schaben of Portsmouth, IA, Jerry “Turtle” Schaben of Buck Grove, IA, Larry (Shelli) Schaben of Earling, IA, Jeff (Joy) Schaben of Westhalia, IA, Sue (Tate) Graeve of Earling, IA, Jeanie (Gary) Schmitz of Missouri Valley, IA, Sam (May) Schaben of West Des Moines, IA,Jon (Darla) Schaben of Grimes, IA; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
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