Abbie D. Getto Holzgrafe, age 94, of 2130 Harrison, died Monday, September 10, 2012 at 3:55 pm in the Good Samaritan Home.
Abbie was born June 11, 1918 in Novinger, Missouri, the daughter of Frank and Lucia Clara Faletti Getto. She married William “Bill” A. Holzgrafe on October 3, 1944 in Kirksville, MO. He preceded her in death February 7, 1978.
Abbie graduated from Novinger High School in 1935 where, in addition to being a good student, she played on the Girls Basketball Team. Upon graduation she secured interest from a St. Louis-based women’s professional basketball team to continue playing, but she chose not to pursue that opportunity but rather chose to attend Gem City Business College in Quincy. After completing her studies there, she worked for several years for the Thompson Coal Company in its office accounting department.
She met Bill and in 1944 they married. Bill owned and operated Quincy Supply Company until his death in 1978. Thereafter, Abbie worked for several years for Quincy Supply Company which she operated with two of her sons, Jerry and Keith.
After retiring, Abbie continued her active involvement in many volunteer activities, including serving as an election judge for many national, state and local elections, weekly adoration chapel at the Church of St. Peter, RSVP, and for over 50 years, service at St. Mary Hospital and Blessing Hospital Volunteer Services. Abbie particularly enjoyed being one of the Blessing Hospital “teddy bear ladies” who made teddy bears for all hospitalized children. Abbie performed the final hand sewing of each teddy bear which she continued until shortly before her death.
Never too old to volunteer to help others, in 2009, at age 90, Abbie fell and broke her hip while volunteering — at the Quincy Senior Citizens Center.
Abbie enjoyed attending Quincy University basketball games, especially during the historic Mart Heinen Club Holiday Tournaments, Quincy Community Theater productions, and Quincy Park Band concerts. Most important of all, however, were family holiday meals where her family would laugh, tell stories about everything from those “Easter Egg Hunts, visits from Santa, schools, and vacations” to those “dumb tricks”, and reminisce. No holiday meal was complete without “Grandma’s Noodles” made under Abbie’s guidance by her grandchildren who now can make “Grandma’s Noodles” for the next generation.
Abbie will be missed by her family, many friends and fellow Good Samaritan Home residents.
The family expresses its appreciation to the staff of Good Samaritan Home who provided Abbie superb professional care with compassion, empathy and understanding.
Abbie was a member of the Church of St. Peter, St. Peter’s Altar Society, the St. Mary Hospital Guild, Blessing Hospital Volunteer Services, RSVP and the American Businesswomen’s Association.
Survivors include three sons, Gerald D. (Virginia Weinberg) Holzgrafe of Quincy, IL, Roger E. (Diana Phillips) Holzgrafe of Peoria, IL, Keith W. (Shelley Funk) Holzgrafe of Quincy, and three grandchildren, Heather Ann Holzgrafe of St. Louis, MO, Heidi Lynn Holzgrafe (Eric John) Loos of Chicago, IL, William Blake Phillips Holzgrafe of Peoria, IL
Abbie was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings John Getto, Minnie Rovetto, Maggie Harmon and Lucille Dye.
Services: Thursday, September 13, 2012, prayers at 9:30 a.m. in Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Church of St. Peter, with Monsignor Leo Enlow officiating.
Entombment: Quincy Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Visitation: Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. in Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
Memorials: Good Samaritan Home, Church of St. Peter, Blessing Hospital Volunteer Services or Paw Pals.
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Abbie. We are sure you will miss her very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Heather…..thinking about you and your family these days. Love you my friend and so sorry for your loss.
Heather,
Grandma’s are on of God’s greatest gifts. I know how you cherish your family. Thoughts of you and yours during this time.
Beth Cook
To Heather and the Holzgrafe Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of sorrow.
Roger and family, thinking of you and your family. May wonderful memories keep your Mother’s love and spirit close to your Hearts.