Graber, Freni Waltner (1871-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 9 p. 5

Birth date: 1871 Aug 13

text of obituary:

Early-Day Settler At Freeman Died

Freeman, S. D. — Mrs. Freni Graber, pioneer settler in the Freeman community and the widow of Christ Graber, died at the Freeman hospital Jan. 29. Funeral services were held Jan. 30 at the Salem Mennonite Church, Rev. J. Herbert Fretz officiating.

Mrs. Graber, daughter of Joseph and Anna Preheim Waltner, was born in Russia on Aug. 13, 1871, and came to America in 1874. She had lived at the Salem Mennonite Home here since 1953.

Surviving her are four sons, one daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, two half brothers and six half sisters.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Feb 23 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. FRENI GRABER

Freni Graber, daughter of Joseph and Anna Preheim Waltner, was born on August 13, 1871, in Vollynia [sic Volhynia], Russia. In the summer of1874 she emigrated with her parents to America. The following spring her mother died.

She received a very meager education, and perhaps because she realized keenly how much handicapped she was in life because of that, she insisted that her children should avail themselves of the opportunity to get an education.

She was baptized in early youth by Rev. Crist. Kaufman and became a member of the Salem-Zion Church. Later when the Salem or South Church was organized, she and her family became members of that church and she remained a faithful member until her death. As long as she was able she attended church regularly, but for many years prior to her death, her health did not permit her to do so. She was very earnest and serious in her christian living, and often admonished her family to seek those things in life that have abiding values.

On October 28, 1886, she was married to Christ. Graber, known as one of the Spitzbergers, with whom she shared joys and sorrows for almost 43 years. For more than 26 years she lived in widowhood.

Into this family seven children were born, two of whom preceded her in death, Jacob in infancy and Anna Kaufman who died of lockjaw in 1931. Surviving her are four sons, John, Joe, Ben and Edwin, and one daughter, Emma Schwartz; four daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law: 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; two half-brothers, Paul Waltner, and six half-sisters, Anna Graber, Pauline Preheim, Elizabeth Waltner, Ida Miller, Lena Kaufman and Lydia Huber; and numerous relatives and friends who mourn her passing.

She became a guest in the Salem Mennonite Home for the Aged at Freeman, on April 9, 1953, where she received most tender and loving care until her death.

In later life she suffered a great deal because of ill health, but she bore her tribulations with great patience. She could say with the Apostle Paul that there was given to her a thorn in the flesh. About 12 years ago, she received X-ray treatments at Sioux Falls for what the doctors diagnosed to be a cancerous tumor. She then rallied and for a number of years enjoyed fairly good health. About a year ago she suffered a light stroke from which, however, she quickly recovered.

On Friday, Jan. 27 of this year, upon the advice of her physician, she was again taken to the local hospital for X-ray pictures and observation, but was not considered seriously ill. However on Sunday morning, rather unexpectedly, she quietly fell asleep to be with her Lord whom she so dearly loved, and for whose call to come home she had patiently waited so long.

She attained the age of 84 years, five months and 16 days.