Andrea Kay Eaton Schau, 71, longtime resident of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, passed away April 16, 2018, in Tyler, Texas.

Andrea was born in North Platte on Oct. 2, 1946, to Andrew and Olive (French) Eaton. She was a proud Bulldog, graduating in 1964 from North Platte High School. She attended Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota, where Karen (Williams) Johnson introduced her to her brother, Marlo Williams.

Andrea and Marlo were married in North Platte in August 1965, and they had two sons, Kirt and Mark. They lived in Havelock, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Green Valley, Minnesota; and Russell, Minnesota. Andrea was a wonderful homemaker and also worked at Schwan’s in Marshall and Lange’s Grocery in Russell. After Andrea and Marlo purchased Lange’s Grocery, she ran it as the Russell Market for many years. After Andrea and Marlo divorced, she moved to Worthington, Minnesota, in 1984 and was part of the opening team of the new Worthington Shopko.

After a few years, she transferred to the Shopko in Spencer, Iowa, where she was introduced to a co-worker’s father, Ken Schau. They were married on Nov. 5, 1994, in Sioux Rapids. Andrea continued to work for Shopko in Spencer until the store closed. She was an active volunteer for many organizations in Sioux Rapids, including CHICS, where the work she and her friends did benefited the community.

She and Ken enjoyed several years together, traveling and visiting family and friends throughout the country, and they even ventured abroad to Italy for Andrea’s sister’s wedding. They enjoyed being grandparents and participating in the five grandchildren’s school activities and sports. They enjoyed their summer night cruises in Ken’s convertible, watching sports and auto racing on TV and visiting casinos.

Andrea loved to bake, cook, sew, quilt and pursue new crafts. She loved going to church and Bible studies groups. She especially enjoyed spending time with dear lifelong friends and making new ones. She always had open arms for anyone who needed a shoulder to cry on and was quick to offer comfort.

Andrea was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, but with the help of her faith and wonderful doctors, she was cancer-free by early 2017. Her husband, Ken, passed away in March 2017, and she missed him every day since. Andrea spent the last year of her life traveling, doing crafts and spending the winter in Texas with her son and family. She was again diagnosed with cancer in late 2017, but battled hard for several months until she passed away on a beautiful Texas spring day with her son, Kirt; his wife, Jeri; and Andrea’s sister, Peg, at her side.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; 4-year-old son, Mark Williams; parents, Andrew and Olive Eaton; nephew, Chad Livingston; sister-in-law, Melanie Williams; brothers-in-law, Reid Warath and Greg Chingren; and many other dear family members and friends.

Andrea is survived by her son, Kirt (Jeri) Williams of Lindale, Texas; stepson, Robie (Rita) Schau; and stepdaughter, Heidi (Brad) Hermstad, all of Sioux Rapids; granddaughters, Dallas and Kayley; grandsons, Kurtis, Colton and Grayson; sisters, Ellen Ruth Warath of North Platte, Bonita (Randy) Enochs of New York City and Peg (John) Tanner of Omaha; brother, Gary (Marcia) Eaton of North Platte; brothers-in-law, Ronald Schau, Merlin (Jennifer) Schau, Dwayne (Linda) Schau and Gary (Linda) Schau; aunts, Barb Eaton and Ruth “Vonnie” Haase; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and many beloved friends.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will be at the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, at the First Lutheran Church.