Graber, Maria Gering (1853-1926)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1926 Feb 18 p. 7

Birth date: 1853 May 30

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1925 NOV 3 p. 4

text of obituary:

Lind, Wash.,
Oct. 28, 1925

Obituary

Mrs. Mary Graber (nee Gering) was born in Waldheim, Russia, May 30, 1853 and died at the home of her son-in-law; Ed Steffen, 16 miles south of Odessa, Wash., Oct. 20, 1925 aged 72 years, 4 months and 20 days. In 1869 she was harried [sic] to John C. Graber with whom she was permitted to enjoy life’s joys and sorrows for 34 years till death claimed Mr. Graber in 1903, leaving her with a family of 11 children to rear.

She was a widow for 22 years and although never very strong physically, she kept the family together and tried to bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Four of the 11 children preceded her in death, viz: Peter, Napoleon, Julia and Theodore and 7 survive to mourn the loss of their mother, viz: Chris Graber, Freeman, S. Dak., Elisabeth Schrag, Alsen, N. Dak., Annie Schrag, Soap Lake, Wash., Jacob J. Graber, (Blind Chiropractor) Soap Lake, Wash., Adolf Graber, Monroe, Wash., Amelia Steffen, Odessa, Wash., and Joe Graber, Odessa, Wash., 29 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren also survive. Her brother Joe Gering having died here less than a year ago, only three sisters of her fathers family remain to mourn their departed sister, viz: Mrs. Katharine Schrag of Schrag, Wash., Mrs. Fannie Gering of Freeman, S. Dak., and Mrs. Emilie Stucky of Pretty Prairie, Kansas. They were among the emigrants of 1871 from Russia to America and for 16 years lived in S. D. In 1890 the family moved to Oregon where they lived for 9 years coming to the state of Washington in 1899 and have since resided here, over 25 years.

The deceased joined the Mennonite Church in early youth by baptism on her confession of faith and remained faithful to her end. She was always concerned about the welfare of others, especially the salvation of their souls, often exhorting them to faith in Christ Jesus in whom she herself so stedfastly [sic] believed. She often praised her Lord for his wonderful guidance thru all the hardships and vicissitudes of life until he would call her to himself in glory, where she can now enjoy His presence and praise Him thru all eternity.