Mildred Graber

Mildred Graber
September 28, 1914 - September 16, 2004
Kalona, Iowa
Visitation: 2:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. September 17, 2004 at Sunnyside Conservative Mennonite Church
Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. September 18, 2004 at Sunnyside Conservative Mennonite Church
Interment: 3:30 p.m. September 18, 2004 at Upper Deer Creek Cemetery
Mildred Graber was born September 28, 1914 in rural Johnson County, near Wellman, the daughter of Elmer G. and Mary Bender Swartzendruber. She received her education in rural school and Wellman High School. Mildred accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized on October 6, 1929 at Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church near Wellman. On September 29, 1935, she married Daniel A. Graber at Upper Deer Creek Mennonite Church near Wellman. A lifelong resident of the Wellman and Kalona communities, Mildred was a homemaker and also was secretary and treasurer for Graber Plumbing and Heating many years. Mildred was a member of the Sunnyside Conservative Mennonite Church, where she was active with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She volunteered at Crowded Closet and enjoyed sewing. She also pieced many quilts for family and missions. Mildred died following a lengthy illness Thursday, September 16, 2004, at her home in Kalona, at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 19 days. Survivors include two daughters, Nancy and husband Marlin Gingerich of Riverside and Mary Dawn and husband John Schaal of Sarasota, Florida; two sons, Lynn and wife Ruth Graber of Kalona and Ned and wife Marcella Graber of Red Lake, Ontario, Canada; 13 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; four sisters, Effie and husband John Miller of Kalona, Edith and husband William Nisly of Kalona, Ethel and husband Henry Miller of Wellman and Mary Elva and husband Vernon Ropp of Kalona; one brother: Ellis and wife Ila Swartzendruber of Kalona and one sister-in-law, Alta Swartzendruber of Kalona. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband in May 1993 and one brother, Morris Swartzendruber. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 18, 2004, at Sunnyside Conservative Mennonite Church in Kalona with Rev. Floyd Helmuth and Rev. David L. Yoder officiating. Burial will be at Upper Deer Creek Cemetery near Wellman. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and from 9:00 a.m. until service time Saturday at Sunnyside Conservative Mennonite Church in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for Pleasantview Home. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Kalona is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.