Lula Marie Poch, 96, died of congestive heart failure Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Hospice Kavanagh House on 56th in Des Moines. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Brooks Funeral Care, University Chapel in Clive. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Private burial will be in Atlantic Cemetery.

Lula was born to Bill and Anna Schwab on August 7, 1911 in rural Exira. She later lived in rural Viola Center and attended school there as a youth. Lula was united in marriage to Clarence Poch in 1940 and they made their home in Atlantic. They were blessed with three children, Charles, Carl and Carolyn. Lula had worked for Baxter Cleaners, J.C. Penny, and Grahams Department Store all in Atlantic and later worked for Wolf's Womens Clothing at Merle Hay Mall. She was a member of United Church of Christ in Atlantic and later attended First Federated Church. Lula spent the later years of her life residing with her sons in Des Moines and enjoyed gardening until age 95. Her family will fondly remember her homemade cinnamon rolls, fudge, divinity and peanut brittle.

Lula was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her beloved daughter Carolyn, and brothers, Lester, Roy and Karl Schwab. She is survived by her sons, Charles and Carl, both of Des Moines, a brother, Richard Schwab of Brookfield, Mo., and two sisters, Leila Grohe of Schaller, IA, and Lucille Guilfoyle of Las Vegas. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren, Claudine Poch (Craig McCoy) of Milford, OH, and Tony (Jami) Poch of Des Moines, and their mother, Sharan (Earl) Hardisty of Sac City, and granddaughter Lori (Jerry) Stewart of Plano, TX. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Ian McCoy of Milford, OH, Ashley and Allison Poch of Des Moines, and Jonathan, Brianna and Savanah Stewart of Plano,TX.

Memorial contributions will be used according to the wishes of the family.