Ruben Schaal - 2001

     Ruben Theodore Schaal was born 9 miles north of Burlington on Road 44 on April 6, 1918, in a small adobe house about ½ mile from the farm he still owned when he died. Ruben was the firstborn son of Edward Schaal and Regina (Frank) Schaal. He died Wednesday, March 28, 2001. Four children survive him:  Ruben Schaal Jr. and wife Linda of Burlington, Kathleen Parrish and husband Wayne of Burlington, Shirley Shumate and husband Stanley of Greeley, Diane Schaal and Serafin Montoya of Burlington. He had 8 grandchildren. They are, in birth order: Warren Schaal, Tandy Parrish, Aaron Schaal, Joel Shumate, Brandon Parrish, Jonathan Shumate, Julie Montoya, and Justin Schaal. Ruben had one great-grandson, London Schaal. Ruben is also survived by his sister, Mabel Neal; two half-brothers, Melvin and Roland Schaal; and one stepsister, Marian Johnson, all of Washington State. The mothers of his children, Erna Bohling and Lettie Schaal, also survive him. Ruben attended school north of Bethune, but was kept home a lot to help on the farm. His formal education ended at the 6th grade. At age 17 Ruben signed up to go to a Civilian Conservation Corps which allowed him to send money home to help the family. During the next few years, which the kids like to call his “hobo” years, he traveled on a freight train from place to place trying to find work to do and food to eat. Later Ruben returned to Colorado and went to work for a farmer named Frank Morrow who had a very positive impact on his life. Then World War II broke out and in June of 1942 Ruben was drafted into the Army. He trained at Camp Rucker, Ala., now called Fort Rucker, where is grandson, II Lieutenant Brandon Parrish, is stationed today.

     Ruben served his country for 4 years in the 323rd Infantry Anti Tank Company, 81st Wildcat division making several beach assault landings in the Pacific Theatre. The most dangerous and notable was his landing on Peleliu Island. The last Wildcats left Peleliu in late January of 1945 for New Caledonia, then to the Philippines for further training and then on to Japan. The war ended before he reached Japan. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946. Ruben married Erna Weisshaar on Dec. 14, 1943, and together they had 3 children – Ruben Schaal Jr., Kathleen Parrish, and Shirley Shumate. Ruben and Erna were divorced and later on Ruben met Lettie Sandoval and together they had 2 children – Diana and Edward Schaal. Edward preceded him in death in 1991. Ruben lived and farmed northwest of Burlington, raising sheep, cattle, horses and wheat.

     He subsidized his farming operation with jobs he was able to get during seasons that he could be away from his farm. He helped build the elevators at Burlington and Kanorado. Ruben loved and delighted in all 8 of his grandchildren and shared stories and jokes with them. He was honored to have his first great-grandson, London Schaal, born Dec. 29, 2000. In his later years, he gradually became aware of his need for forgiveness for  his mistakes and failures and learned to depend on his Lord Jesus Christ for all his unmet needs. Ruben had a strong sense of family and who was related because it was important to him that the entire family know and acknowledge the family’s German heritage. He delighted in talking about who was who, and how they were related. Ruben loved music. Two of his favorite songs were “This Old House” and the “Beer Barrel Polka.” Three of his grandsons played lively piano and two of them played guitar and Ruben enjoyed joining in with his favorite instrument – the spoons. Ruben’s wish was to be able to sleep and not to wake up. Tuesday night he drifted to sleep and was granted his desire for a peaceful homecoming. Services were held Saturday, March 31, 2001, at Love Funeral Home in Burlington. Pastor Ron Lee officiated and Shelly Gorman delivered the eulogy at the services. Ruben was laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington.