Obituary of Lulabel Jean Gratke Lambert

Lulabel “Lu” Gratke Lambert, age 91, Hopkinton, died Thursday, December 15, 2016, at Regional Medical Center in Manchester. Funeral services for Lu were Monday December 19, 2016, at 11 am at the Peace United Church of Christ, 410 E Cherry St, Monticello, Iowa, with burial in the Hopkinton Cemetery in Hopkinton, Iowa. Visitation was be one hour before the service at 10 AM at the church. Lulabel “Lu” or “G”, as she was known, was born November 11, 1925, at the DeShaw family farm in Hopkinton, in the home where she currently lived. She was the daughter of Joe and Mary Belle (DeShaw) Gratke. Lu grew up in Strawberry Point, Iowa, spending her days in her parents Westinghouse Appliance and Electrical shop. Lu's nickname of "Hank" was given to her by her Father. Lu and her family loved to fish and enjoyed their vacations at the Backbone State Park cabins near Strawberry Point. Lu graduated from the Strawberry Point High School in 1943. She attended Nursing School. Lu and Ron Lambert were united in marriage on September 17, 1944, in Manchester, Iowa. They lived through that winter with Ron's parents on their farm between Fayette and Strawberry Point. In March of 1945, Ron and Lu moved to the DeShaw family farm near Hopkinton. Lu and Ron raised 3 children on this farm. Ron and Lu bought the Hopkinton Locker in the 60's and worked side by side in the Locker until the late 80's. Ron and Lu have 10 grandchildren which were their pride and joy. Ron and Lu's weekends were devoted to their grandkids. In Lu's healthy days, she loved each of her grandchildren dearly. She loved to watch the Cubs and “I Love Lucy” reruns. Lu is survived by her three children: Mary Jo (Francis) Wells of Hopkinton, Renee (Richard) Ellison of Monticello, and Roger (Judith) Lambert of Sarasota FL., ten grandchildren: Lori Wilson, Lesley Wiskus, Darin Lamont, Diane Engle, Deb Pfiffner, Dave Lamont, Todd Lambert, Tim Lambert, Tina Richter and Tyler Lambert; 27 great grandchildren, 2 step great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Doughty of DeKalb, IL. Lu was preceded in death by her husband Ronald in February 1990, a great grandson, Ethan Engle, her parents, and grandparents, Lulu and Gilbert DeShaw; her in laws: John Doughty, Bob and Dorothy Lambert, Richard Lambert, Agnes and Paul Cave, and Donald Lambert, and her beloved Fifi. Lu was a devoted and loving wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother who was loved and will be missed dearly. Memorials can be directed in Lu's name to Especially For You Race through Mercy Medical in Cedar Rapids. Lu took part in the yearly EFY race from 1998 until 2014. Information available at www.kramerfuneral.com