Obituary

July 14, 2009
Section: obituaries


Lucille E. Graber
Cari Cusick
GateHouse News Service

Lucille E. Graber, 93, passed away Wednesday (July 8, 2009) at Newton Medical Center in Newton.

She was born on July 23, 1915, in Newton to Charles and Maize (Wehry) Hupp. They preceded her in death.

She attended Newton schools and graduated from Bethel College with a degree in music education. Following college, she taught two years and then married Clarence Graber. They spent 51 years together running the Golden Guernsey Dairy west of Newton.

Her lifelong passion was playing the organ for church, which she did for more than 50 years, starting in high school and continuing well into her 80s. She was church organist for many years at Bethel College Mennonite Church, First Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church, in addition to filling in at other churches in Newton. In later years, her specialty was playing for funerals.

She spent almost 20 years as a 4-H sewing leader, and she was active in the Wichita Parliamentary Club. She was a lifelong member of the Newton Treble Clef and Kansas Federation of Music clubs, both of which she served as former president. She also was a lifelong member of Inspiration Point.

The local Rotary Club and Rotary International also were very important to Lucille. She was club accompanist for many years, supported her husband Clarence while he served as district governor and in later years became a regular attending honorary member of the Newton club.

She will long be remembered for her positive attitude, generous spirit, and love of good music and good food.

She leaves behind a daughter, Judy Friesen of Newton; a son, Dr. Charles Graber and his wife, Lisa, of Newton; grandchildren, Mark Friesen and his wife, Melissa, of Lawrence, Myron Friesen and his wife, Jennifer, of Seattle, Carrie Saxl and her husband, Chris, of Napa, Calif., and Christopher Graber of Arkansas City; and four great-grandchildren, Lucy Friesen, George Mitchell, Case Friesen and Arianna Graber.

She also was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; son-in-law, Mel Friesen; and numerous brothers and sisters of Clarence's.

There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

Private family interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton.

Memorial have been established with Bethel College and Rotary International. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.

Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.