Charmaine A. List

In lieu of gifts and flowers please direct memorials to the family for a cause to be decided at a later date.

Char was born on July 8, 1930 in rural Alton, IA, the daughter of Paul and Barbara (Noethe) Von Arb.  She was raised in the Alton area with her 14 siblings, and attended St. Mary’s Academy, where she graduated in 1949.  After graduation, she did domestic work for families in the area.

On September 6, 1950, Char married Ray List at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton.  Together they raised 11 children.  Char and Ray made their first home on the List family farm, before moving to a farm southeast of Granville, IA in 1953.  They moved to Granville when they retired in 1989.

Char was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Granville, St. Joseph’s Ladies Guild, and Catholic Daughters of America.  She volunteered on the church decoration committee for 23 years where she made many close friends.  She looked forward to the annual church picnic, often winning the bid for quilts. Char prayed a daily rosary for family, friends, and anyone in need of extra prayers.  Her faith was unwavering.

Char was a dedicated farmwife and mother who enjoyed traveling, quilting, baking, gardening, scrapbooking, ballroom dancing, Hallmark movies, and attending her grandchildren’s activities.  Char traveled often with her family and friends, and a highlight for Char was a trip she took to Switzerland with Ray in 1984, where Char’s father was born and raised, to visit relatives.  Char also made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, which they treasure.  She baked her famous cinnamon rolls and butterhorns for family holidays and special occasions.  She took pride in gardening and maintaining her lawn, and was often seen outside picking up sticks.  Char loved inviting her friends over to socialize on her deck.  Above all, Char cherished spending time with her family and friends.  

Char is survived by her 11 children, Gary (Marilyn) List of Surrey, England, Glenn (Carole) List of Hospers, IA, Linda (Jerry) Langel of Alton, IA, David (Jane) List of Granville, IA, Dean (Gail) List of Waterloo, NE, Lyle (Grace) List of Alton, IA, Lori (David) Schmit of Sioux City, IA, Dale (Pam) List of Granville, IA, Jan (Tim) Braun of Omaha, NE, Nancy (Dan) Abraham of Kansas City, MO and Kristi (Tod) Kellen of Omaha, NE; 37 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Char is also survived by her brothers, Paul (Pauline) Von Arb, and Robert (Glenda) Von Arb; her sisters, Patricia Jungers, Margie Klein, Carolyn (Vern) Langenfeld, Arlene (Leon) Schoo, Bev Delperdang, Clarissa Doggett, Ione Naber, and Judy (Frank) Mousel; her sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Mousel, Charlotte Von Arb, Sondra Von Arb, Helen Brady, and Mildred (Eldon) Ruden; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Char was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Ray List; her parents, Paul and Barbara Von Arb; her brothers, Melvin Von Arb, Everett “Bud” Von Arb, Orville Von Arb, and Ron Von Arb; her sisters-in-law, Lillian Von Arb, Kay Von Arb, Florence List, Edith Delperdang, and Esther Reuter; her brothers-in-law, Bernard Jungers, Leo Klein, Bill Lazendorf, Don Delperdang, Harold Naber, Melvin List, Gerald Delperdang, Melvin Reuter, and Lawrence Brady; and her granddaughter Ashley Schmit.

Casket bearers will be Kevin Langel, Daniel Schmit, Mark Braun, Zach Abraham, Ben Kellen and Jason List.