- Date Of Birth: October 13, 1926
- Date Of Death: June 21, 2017
- State: Arizona
Eileen Dolores Schraan of Flagstaff, Arizona passed away peacefully on June 21, 2017, at the Flagstaff Medical Center after a short illness. Eileen was born on Oct. 13, 1926 to Christian and Della(Amundson) Ulrickson in Olivia, Minnesota. She was the fifth of eight children after 4 boys, and the first of the 4 daughters.
The family farmed on what was then the outskirts of Olivia. It was a small farm and the family kept growing. Being the first girl, Eileen began to wish for a sister, and as they were a very religious family, she asked her mother that if she prayed harder she might get two sisters. When Eileen was 5, the family welcomed twin girls. The great depression did bring hard times, but the family endured with hard work and faith.
During World War II, many women became part of the workforce in America. Even before she graduated from Olivia HS in 1944, the Milwaukee Road RR had wanted her to come to work. She worked for the railroad as a Depot Relief agent for several years, even after the war ended. She was on a relief assignment in Buffalo Lake, MN when local matchmakers decided she should meet Floyd (Bud) Schraan.
It was only several weeks after the first blind date that Bud proposed, and they were married on August 11, 1947 in the Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake. They moved to Minneapolis so Bud could finish college. Bud’s early career gave them opportunity to move around Minnesota for several years. They finally settled back in Buffalo Lake, and a few years later their first of 3 sons was born.
Once the boys were all in school, Eileen enjoyed the fun and fellowship of having a ceramics business in her home for many years. Another craft she loved was knitting, and she also loved playing cards with friends and family. She enjoyed summers at their Lake Minnie Belle cottage. She was a great hostess and left lasting fond memories for many. Whether just her and Bud, or with the whole family, she enjoyed travelling around the globe.
She was very active as a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake and later a member of Shepherd of The Hills Lutheran Church in Flagstaff.
Toward retirement age, she and Floyd became snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona. Eileen was creative, wasn’t afraid of a computer, and loved making greeting cards for special occasions celebrated by relatives and friends.
Eileen is survived by sons – John (Renee) of Flagstaff, AZ, their children Nicholas (Tawnie), Rachel, and Matthew; Joel (Kathy Abbott) of Peoria, AZ; and Jay (Lori) of Upland, CA; Her sister, Marjorie of Oliva, MN
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Floyd; brothers, Gordon, Laurel, Melbourne, Wallace; sisters, Margaret and Dorothy.
