Viola Ruby Crabb

Viola Ruby Crabb, beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother passed away early Thursday morning, March 18, 2021 at the age of 98. She was born in Ruthven, Iowa on June 19, 1922 to Carl and Emma Knutson.

Vi grew up on the shores of Lost Island Lake, valued the learning process and graduated from High School a year early, then enrolled in Iowa State Teacher’s College to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She earned her degree in education in 1941. Her first assignment was teaching fifth grade in Lake Center, Iowa where she met and fell in love with the school’s Superintendent and Math teacher, David Crabb. They were married on November 7, 1942.

With the escalation of WWII, Vi and Dave, as part of the Greatest Generation, fulfilled a commitment to serve their country with honor and humility: Vi volunteered with the telephone company to connect the lonely military members serving abroad with the voices of their loved ones back home. David joined the Air Force and was stationed in the South Pacific Region. At war’s end they reunited in Iowa and began their family, eventually relocating to Glendora, CA where Vi returned to education as an assistant to the principal at Goddard Middle School and Dave worked as HS counselor and mathematics teacher until their retirement in 1978.

In retirement Vi and Dave moved to Rocky Branch on the shores of Beaver Lake in Rogers, AR. Traveling in their RV they enjoyed visiting National Parks, hiking scenic mountain trails, and for 5 summers worked as inspectors for KOA traversing across the lower 48 states and Canada., meeting people and exploring the different regions of North America. Vi loved to knit and sew, listen to the Big Band era music, volunteer in her church, entertain friends with dinners using new recipes; but most joyful for her was the time spent with her grandchildren, the highlights of her life. She is remembered by her devotion to her family, her love of life, her laughter, kindness and compassion of spirit and soul, nurtured through her Christian faith, throughout her 80-year membership in the Presbyterian Church.

Viola is survived by her daughter Cindy Streur from Tucson, AZ, son-in-law Bill Streur from Port Angeles, WA; son Brian Crabb from Yelleville, AR.; Grandson Caleb Streur, his wife Megan and two great granddaughters Adeline and Fiona from Issaquah, WA; granddaughter Rachel Streur Johnson, her husband Trent from Dallas and great granddaughter Breckyn Johnson from Denver; and grandson Taber Streur and wife Jennifer from Redmond, WA. Viola is also survived by her sister Lila Wray from Parnell, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Vernis and Donald, and her adoring husband David after 67 years of marriage.

‘May the light that Vi radiated in life shine on us now, giving us peace and comfort in her loving, endearing memory.”

A celebration of life service will be held in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church of Rogers, AR on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 11:00 AM, officiated by Reverend Valerie Bell. Church family and friends are invited to attend.

Viola will be inurned with her husband at Fayetteville National Cemetery at a later date.