Sylvia Ann Schaaf, the daughter of Harold and Vernice (Stover) Doolittle, was born March 21, 1934, at Griswold, IA. Sylvia died January 29, 2022, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, IA, at the age pf 87 years, 10 months, and 8 days.
Sylvia graduated from Elliott High School with the class of 1952. On June 11, 1952, she was united in marriage to Lowell Gerald Schaaf at Morton Mills Church. Two children were born to this union, Pam, and Cindy. While Lowell served in the Army, they lived in California and Georgia. They returned to Elliott and purchased Elliott Produce, which they owned and operated for 25 years. After selling Elliott Produce, Lowell and Sylvia purchased a farm South of Elliott. They farmed until their retirement in 1991. Lowell and Sylvia lived on the farm until 2008, when they moved to Griswold. In March of 2021, Sylvia moved to the Heritage House in Atlantic.
Sylvia was a member of the Elliott United Methodist Church. She enjoyed square dancing, singing, crocheting, and listening to polka music. Sylvia loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sylvia is preceded in death by her husband Lowell; her parents; her brother Donald Doolittle.
Syliva is survived her daughters Pam Merchanthouse and husband Greg of Richmond, IN and Cindy Keiser and husband Terry of Council Bluffs, IA; her grandchildren: Regan Taylor and husband Jedd, Joel Keiser, Julie Gately, and Marty Merchanthouse and wife Jamie; ten great grandchildren; her brother-in-law Lynn Schaaf and wife Pat of Griswold, IA; She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 1:30 PM at the Elliott United Methodist Church. An open visitation will be held at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM. The family will not be present at any specific time. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
