Rilla Jo Pabs

Rilla Jo Pabst, 85, of Grundy Center, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Arlington Place in Grundy Center. Visitation was held on Monday, July 25, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center. Burial followed at Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.abelsfuneralhomes.com

Rilla Jo was born on January 24, 1937, on the family farm in Grundy County to her loving parents Ralph and Jennie (Kruse) Heerts. She was raised on the farm and later moved to Grundy Center, graduating from Grundy Center High School in the class of 1955. She then was united in marriage to Maurell Pabst on June 23, 1956, the couple made their home in Grundy Center and welcomed their son Jeff into their family on July 22, 1962.

Rilla Jo worked at Manly Drug, Collectors News, assisted her husband Maurell in his business, Pabst Construction and was a wonderful wife and mother. She enjoyed taking bank trips with her friends, and playing cards with friends. She loved cooking, baking, and volunteering at Grundy County Memorial Hospital. She also enjoyed reading, music and playing piano and bells at church. Rilla Jo loved people and liked to socialize. However, her true joy in life came from spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Left to cherish Rilla Jo’s memory are her son Jeff (Marcy) Pabst; grandchildren Jacob (Mary) Pabst, Jessica Pabst (Hunter Hall), and Erica Pabst; sister Wilma Ruth Gunnarson; nephew Curtis (Judy) Gunnarson; and niece Jeanie (Jim) Gibney. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Maurell; father-in-law Ralph Amos Pabst; mother-in-law Edna Pabst; and brother-in-law Leroy Gunnarson.