Graber, Willis J. (1918-2004)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 Mar 8 p. 12

Birth date: 1918 Dec 2

text of obituary:

WILLIS J. GRABER

Willis J. Graber, 85, of Wayland, Iowa, died Feb. 16, 2004, at Henry County Health Center. He was born Dec. 2, 1918, to Joseph and Barbara Rich Graber in Henry County.

He received his schooling at rural Douglas Elementary School and attended Wayland High School.

On May 23, 1943, he married Marjorie Watts.

They lived in the Wayland area all their married life. They enjoyed traveling and volunteered at summer camps in Michigan, Iowa and Pennsylvania. They hosted several exchange students in their home and fostered several children. He spoke fluent German and enjoyed dialogue with many visitors who spoke that language.

He farmed for many years. He was a lifelong member of Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher, a trustee and a member of the Loyal Companions Sunday School Class.

Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; two sons, Larry and his wife, Violet, of Wayland and Wendell and his wife, Linda, of Story City; a foster daughter, Vickie Paulsen and her husband, Doug, of Eldridge; a brother, Raymond Graber of Mount Pleasant; five sisters, Rachel Wyse, Berniece Roth and Beulah Mae Swartzendruber, all of Wayland, and Lois Swartzendruber and Sara Lu Frederick, both of Wellman; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Ronald Dean Graber, in 1945; a daughter, Sharon Kay Graber, in 1970; a sister, Wilma Nelson; and two brothers, Clarence Graber and Virgil Graber.

Services were held at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church of rural Wayland. Burial was in Sugar Creek Cemetery.