Louisa M. Rabe

Funeral Services for Louisa M. Rabe will be conducted from the United Methodist Church in Wilcox, Nebraska on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Virginia Fleharty, officiating. Interment will be in the Freewater Cemetery near Ragan in Harlan County, Nebraska.

Louisa Margelene Rabe, 87 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Wilcox) passed away on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at the Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. Louisa was born a twin on July 16, 1923 at Wilcox, the daughter of John W. and Lily Mae (Gifford) Woollen. Louisa received her education from Wilcox Public School, graduating from Wilcox High School with the class of 1940. She and her twin sister, Lois then went on to further their education at Hastings, Nebraska, where Louisa and Lois both received their Cosmetology Licenses. During this time they were employed at the Hastings Ammunition Depot and saved enough money to purchase the Twinette Beauty Salon in Kearney, Nebraska.

On August 20, 1950 she was united in marriage to Clifford W. Rabe of Wilcox at the Wilcox Community Church. To this union four children were born: Jacque, Scott, Randy and Tim. The family made their home in Wilcox for a period of time before moving to Chappell, Nebraska, where they ranched until purchasing a farm south of Funk, Nebraska in 1957. In the early 1990's they retired from farming and moved into Holdrege. Throughout the years, Louisa was employed as a Beautician in Wilcox for several years and later in the Beauty Shop at the Christian Homes in Holdrege until her retirement. On March 13, 2001 she was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford.

She was a member of the Wilcox United Methodist Church, the Wilcox Chapter of the Eastern Star, and enjoyed the friendship bonds formed as part of the Farmerette Hobby Club. Louisa enjoyed gardening, and most of all she loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Besides her husband, Clifford and her parents; Louisa was preceded in death by her four brothers: Loren Woollen and his wife, Ardyce, Gifford Woollen, Lamoine Woollen, William Woollen and his wife, Dorothy; two sisters: Cloie Jensen and her husband, William and Lois Ryan and her husband, Eugene; and sister-in-law, Leone Woollen.

She leaves to mourn her passing her four children: Jacque Reiser and her fiancé, Richard Beal of Omaha, Scott Rabe and his wife, Kerry of Jay Em, Wyoming, Randy Rabe and his wife, DeAnn of Bertrand and Tim Rabe of Wilcox; nine grandchildren: Dr. Krissa Reiser and her fiancé, Chris Downey, Jarod Reiser and his wife, Dr. Jen Reiser all of Omaha, Tyler Rabe and his wife, Andrea of Wahoo, Nebraska, Riley Rabe of Bertrand and his fiancé, Maura Sjomeling of Elwood, Nebraska, Beau Rabe of Jay Em, Wyoming, Tanner Rabe of Kearney, DeLaine Rabe of Lincoln, Nebraska, Kendra Rabe of Lincoln, and Mikayla Rabe of Wilcox; one great-granddaughter, Molly Catherine Reiser of Omaha; four brothers: Melvin Woollen and his wife, Doris of Holdrege, Bernard Woollen and his wife, Juanita of Wilcox, Lamonte Woollen of Wilcox, Norden Woollen and his wife, Mary Ann of Wilcox; sisters-in-law: Helen Woollen of Wilcox and Patricia Rabe of Chappell; brother-in-law, Russell Stutzman of Chappell; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 20, 2010 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Wilcox United Methodist Church or to the donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.