Graves D. “Buckets” Schmalbeck, of Albany, WI, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at SSM Hospital in Monroe, WI, after his gallant two-year battle with cancer. Buckets was born on May 3, 1931, in Wood Dale, IL, to William and Anne (Exon) Schmalbeck.

Buckets grew up in Des Plaines, IL, and graduated from Maine Twp. High School in 1949. He served in the United States Navy Sea Bees Reserve for 12 years. He had a long career driving semi and helped build the northern portion of the Illinois tollway and O’Hare Airport. He was united in marriage to Marlene Crawford on October 3, 1953, at the United Brethren Church in Itasca, IL.

In 1984, Buckets and his wife purchased their first home in Rolling Meadows, IL, where they lived and raised their family for 30 years. He was a member of the Rolling Meadows Community Church. In 1987, the couple purchased a 10-acre lot in the Town of Mt. Pleasant, Green County, WI. Two years later they constructed a log home where they lived until 2017.

Buckets began his trucking company in 1991 and delivered gravel to local farmers for 10 years. Longing to continue driving trucks, Buckets worked for M&D Equipment in Monroe, WI, for 11 years before finally retiring after a 70-year career. He was a member of Zwingli United Church of Christ in Monticello.

He is survived by his wife, Marlene of Albany; daughters, Becki (Robt.) Browning of Rogers, AR, Hanna (Jim) Reed of Pleasant Pines, SC; triplet grandchildren, Sara, Jacqueline, and Dr. Donald (Christen) Reese; three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Annie (Vernon) Schmalbeck; several nieces and nephews; two Godsons; and many cherished friends who helped him celebrate his 90th birthday in May 2021 at the Albany Lion’s Club.

Buckets was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Hans; daughter, Pam (Rick) Hale; and three brothers, Arthur, Harold, and Vernon.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at Hillcrest Cemetery in Albany.

The family suggests donations be made in Buckets’ memory to Monroe Clinic Hospice, the window restoration project of Zwingli United Church of Christ, or Albany EMS.

Condolences may be shared at http://www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.