Edgar Rabe was a perfect example of "the little engine that could". I don't believe the words 'can't, won't or quit' were even in his vocabulary. His life was one of love and generous service to God, his family and others.
As a young man he worked hard on his father's farm, tending livestock, building barns, and working the fields. With his brothers, he walked the mile or so down the country road to the one room schoolhouse for his early education. At the time of his country's need, he stepped up and served during WWII, becoming a mechanic and keeping his unit moving forward while fighting in France.
Back at home, he married a fine Christian woman and raised a family with such guidance and care that their bond cannot be broken and his loving nature lives on through them in their own lives.
He patiently nursed his wife, and bore through those dark days of her illness, knowing that a crown of glory was waiting for them both; not for that reason only, but out of the overflow of a loving heart.
He trusted the institute of marriage again, because the first one was so good, and such a blessing to his life.
He fearlessly drove the miles between his home in SD, and Texas, where they wintered, until the age of 90.
When his table saw wasn't working right, he simply took it apart, recognized the problem and fixed it, at age 92 or 93.
And whether or not he knew it would stand out as a testimony to his character, or a legacy for his descendents, we each got a little hand-made wheelbarrow that Christmas when he was 94, and he signed mine on the underside in his own sweet hand.
I treasure it, as I treasure him, mentally putting my hands on either side of his face and saying, "I love you".
May your reward in Heaven be all that our Lord has promised and more.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Vicki Rabe Davey-daughter of Lester Rabe