Pauline Forbes, Mountain Grove, passed away October 29, 2023, at the age of 97. Her passing comes just seven and a half days after the passing of her husband of over 75 years, Ted Forbes.
Pauline was born May 14, 1926, in La Porte City, Iowa, the eldest child of Dale and Sylvia (Border) Schrader. As was common during that time, the family moved from farm to farm as the family grew, settling in the Buckingham / Geneseo (Iowa) area. Pauline attended Geneseo school, graduating in 1944. Pauline was the last remaining student of her class of eight.
Following high school Pauline worked in the office of the Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, Iowa. Pauline left Rath to live in Arizona for a short time with her Uncle Roy’s family. Shortly after returning to Iowa in 1947, Pauline met Ted Forbes. Their first date was watching fireworks on the 4th of July, sparking a 76 year romance. Two weeks before they were to marry, Pauline’s family home burned. Fortunately, no one was injured, and Pauline’s wedding dress was saved, and the couple married on February 22, 1948, in Waterloo, Iowa.
Ted and Pauline made their home in the Buckingham area, welcoming six children to their family between 1949 and 1958. Pauline was the quintessential farm wife of the era; raising children, gardening, canning, cooking and cleaning. She made sure her family had clean clothes and three meals a day…always with dessert. Pauline was known throughout her life as an excellent cook and baker. Rarely was a meal had without dessert.
In 1966, the family relocated to a dairy farm between Hartville and Mansfield, Missouri. Pauline maintained a huge garden and helped with the 11,000 chickens raised on the farm. Throughout her life, Pauline worked many part time jobs to help support the family. She was an active member of the Mansfield Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. Pauline loved to entertain and organize events.
In 1983, Ted and Pauline retired from farming and moved to a home in Mountain Grove, Missouri, where they remained until just recently. The couple enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends around the country. They continued gardening and canning and were active members of Trinity Methodist Church. Pauline kept an immaculate home, she loved to decorate, especially for each holiday. Food was Pauline’s love language. She always made her loved ones favorite dessert or cake for their birthday, baked her grandkids favorite Christmas cookies, and remembered what you liked to eat when you visited. She never forgot a birthday, always sending cards and calling. Countless family gatherings were held in Ted and Pauline’s home, where everyone was welcome and no one went away hungry. You just had to mind your manners, wipe your feet and keep your hands off the sliding glass door and the walls!
Due to failing health and memory, Pauline’s husband moved to Autumn Oaks Care Center in June 2023. Pauline refused to go, as she didn’t want to be with all the “old people!” However, within days, her health started to fail. After hospitalization, she was moved to Autumn Oaks where she and Ted lived out the remainder of their days together. His passing on October 21 was a loss her heart could not take and she followed him to heaven only days later. The family would like to thank Paula for her commitment to assisting mom and dad in their last few years, allowing them to remain in their home. Also, a big ‘thank you’ to Patsy Worrel, Ted’s niece, for stepping up and assisting with meals and visits whenever Paula was away or with mom or dad at appointments.
Pauline is preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, Ted Forbes, her parents, her in-laws, Burley and Gladys Forbes, her brother, Don Schrader and his wife, Margaret, her oldest son, Garry, grandsons, Ross and Tony Forbes, great-granddaughter, MaRanda Forbes, great-great-grandson, Wyatt Forbes, by Ted’s siblings: Francis “Tooter” Forbes, Zetta Mae Trautman, Mary Worrel, Jean Brewer, JoAnn Webb, Dixie Hutchinson, John Forbes and Clyde Forbes.
Pauline is survived by her children, Paula Sterling, Loreen (Hank) Riddle-Forbes, Ann (Rich) Engel, Craig (Linda) Forbes and Mark (Mary) Forbes, her sister, Maxine Lowery, brother and sister-in-law, Kenny and Betty Schrader, brother-in-law, Bob Forbes and sister-in-law, Barbra Forbes, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
