Ruth Joann Schwabauer, known to everyone as Joann, age 85, of Beaverton, Oregon passed away on Sunday, December 2, 2018. Joann was born November 17, 1933 in Casey, Illinois to Beulah and Harry Veach. She spent her younger years on the family’s farm. When Joann was 12 the family packed up everything they owned and headed west to Oregon. They settled in the Vanport neighborhood of Portland where work was plentiful at the shipyards. Luckily, the family was able to narrowly escape the Vanport flood of 1948!
Joann was always a model of sophistication. As a teenager she was selected to represent Roosevelt High School at the Rose Festival as a Court Princess! After school she went on to work for Portland Public School District and became a manager in the purchasing department. One day she caught the eye of Roy Schwabauer, a visiting CPA. The two ended up running into each other at a local restaurant and talked for a long while. Their relationship blossomed and they were married on October 19th, 1968 at the Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Deborah and Son Kurt. Joann was always so prideful of her family. She embraced motherhood and spent her time tending to the family and their home. She kept everything and everyone impeccably organized.
Joann was exceedingly involved with St. Luke Lutheran Church. She served on the church council for a term and was president of the women’s council. She ran Ruth’s Circle and was also a part of the quilting committee. When she wasn’t busy with church or family activities, Joann really enjoyed swimming. Her true passions were knitting and crocheting. She made everything from decorations to entire outfits. She will always be remembered for her beautiful work with yarn!
Joann is survived by her spouse, Roy Schwabauer; daughter Debra Elsner; son Kurt Schwabauer; granddaughters Megan Holland and Jennifer Morcom; great granddaughter Emma Morcom; and great grandsons David Morcom and Maxwell Holland.
Joann was preceded in death by; father Harry Veach and mother Beulah Veach.
Joann was an honest and faithful woman. She leaves behind an incredible legacy of love and commitment to family. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Schwabauer family.
