The Life of HILDA VIOLA CRABTREE
Hilda Viola Crabtree, 103, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on November 17, 2012. Hilda was born April 3, 1909, in Polk County, to Eliza and Fred Matzinger. She lived on a farm north of Alleman, a Swiss community, during her early years. It was a wonderful life. She graduated from Alleman High School and was active in the Salem Reformed Church. After high school she attended Iowa School of Beauty and worked for a time in a Des Moines beauty shop.
She married Roy Crabtree in 1933, lived a short time in Sheldahl, and moved to Des Moines in 1934. They were married sixty-three years. They raised three sons: Dennis, Phillip, and Roy, Jr. When the boys went to college, Hilda began working at the Credit Bureau of Des Moines, Iowa, where she retired after twenty years.
Hilda had many hobbies, but her favorites were sewing, crafts, and gardening. She made many quilts for the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She especially enjoyed the summers when she could work with her flowers and garden. For several years, even at the age of 90, she volunteered at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. Perhaps her best times were when she could prepare a dinner and have all of the family together. She loved keeping count of her great-grandchildren, and watching them grow and mature. She also enjoyed sending each family member a card on their birthday.
She was thankful for her good health, and happy to be able to give her husband assistance in his last years of life. After his death she moved to Luther Park Apartments in 2002. She often said how much she loved living there. Each month she organized “sing-a-long” programs, playing the organ, and led the residents in singing old songs. She also frequently played for the residents at Trinity Center. This year she moved to The Gardens and then to Trinity Center, within the Luther Park complex. She had been a member of Simpson United Methodist Church for 60 years, and later joined Staves Memorial United Methodist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, five sisters, and one brother. She is survived by her sister, Florence Miller of New Hope, Minnesota; her sons, Dennis (Linda) of Des Moines, Phillip (Christy) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Roy (Sandra) of Ankeny; as well as eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A visitation will be held Saturday, November 24, 2012, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., at Staves Memorial United Methodist Church, 2747 E. Madison Avenue in Des Moines, with a memorial service immediately following at 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Staves Memorial United Methodist Church or Hospice of Central Iowa.>>