Delores M. Rawson

Delores Marie Rawson (nee Armbrust), age 93, of Geneva, passed away Monday, January 27, 2025 at her beloved home with her loving family by her side.

She was born August 10, 1931, in Geneva, the daughter of Peter M. and Lillian M. Armbrust.  She was proceeded in death by her parents; her husband

Ralph F. Rawson; her children Gail M. Hendrickson, Ronald L. Rawson; one brother, and four sisters.  She is survived by her children Brian L.  Rawson and his wife, Deborah, Jayne M. Welch and her husband, David; and brother Lloyd.

Delores is a true Geneva local in every sense of the word.  She was born, raised, worked, married, built a home, raised her family, and lived out the rest of her days as a local.  She was born at The Community Hospital, raised on the east side of the river, and while her dad Pete was running the Armbrust Garage, she was off putting money in her pocket working at the Mill Race Inn, or dreaming about being a singer on the stage while working as a Soda Jerk at Skip Hanson’s News Agency.  It was at Skip’s where she met Ralph, another local just out of the Navy.  She liked the look of his car and they were married soon after.  Their marriage of 53 years began in

St. Peters Church followed by a reception with over 200 guests. 

Delores was proud of her famous Yellow House that her and Ralph built with their own hands 70 years ago.  She was proud to be a Housewife, a job which took as a badge of honor.  It was here that she oversaw decades of parties, holiday gatherings, graduations, all with amazing spreads of food, and on every Halloween, including this year's, she would hand every child that came to the door a full-sized Hershey bar, making her Yellow House the hottest candy spot on the block.  Here she was mother to her four children and Grandma Lulu to her eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren all through good times and the bad. 

Lulu is the last of the few belonging to a different time. She was made tough and her soul was strong, stronger than most anyone.  Think of her when you hear that special song she would sing to you, watch a John Wayne movie, or tune into the Wheel.  Remember her as the dancing, singing, slot machine playing lady that would always put out a helping hand to those in need of her. 

A visitation for Delores will be held Friday, February 7, 2025 from 11:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street (Route 38), Geneva proceeding to Oak Hill Cemetery in Geneva for a graveside service at 1:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Alzheimer’s Disease International (alzint.org/donate) or 225 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 1700, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

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