Graber, Jacob Henry (1886-1967)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1967 Aug 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1886 Mar 4

text of obituary:

JACOB H. GRABER

Jacob Henry Graber was born at Marion, S. D. March 4, 1886, in a sod house, the eldest child of John and Anna Graber. he knew the rigors of pioneer life on the prairies of South Dakota before it was a state.

At an early age he was baptized at the Salem Mennonite Church, Freeman, S. D. The church was always a vital part of his life.

Early in life he had a burning desire to obtain an education. His education started in a small country school in the German language. He attended Freeman Jr. College and graduated from Yankton College, Brookings, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Vermillion. His formal education was interrupted only by a few years of teaching in a country school near Marion, S. D.

He married Lillian Whited on Dec. 26, 1921 at Watertown, S. D. To them were born Marvin, Geraldine (Mrs. Gerald Nelson), and Beverly (Mrs. Delmar Klassen).

He touched the lives of many during his 41 years of teaching in the communities of Garden City, Colman, Leola, Coned, at Freeman Jr. College in Freeman, at Marion, Isabel, Draper and Fulton, all in the state of South Dakota. Today his students are in all walks of life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Pete, and an infant sister, Lena.

He is survived by his widow, three children and nine grandchildren, also three brothers, Joseph and Carl of Freeman, Jonathan of Salem, Ore., and three sisters, Katie (Mrs. Isaac Tieszen), Marie (Mrs. Isaac Berg) and Clara (Mrs. Elmer Graber), all of Marion.

As he lived, he died knowing Christ as his Savior. His life vividly portrayed that each day he walked with God. He entered his New Life July 18, 1967, after suffering a stroke a week earlier.

The Mennonite obituary: 1967 Aug 29 p. 520