Betty Graber

Sibley, IA

      Betty Graber age 91 of Sibley, Iowa died Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the Osceola Regional Health Center in Sibley.

     Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 12, 2021, at the Wheatland Presbyterian Church in Breda, IA with Pastor Jon Kalvig officiating.  Burial will follow in the Wheatland Cemetery at Breda, IA.

     Visitation with the family present will be Sunday July 11^th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.  A prayer service will be held on Sunday July 11^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.

     In lieu of flowers memorial maybe directed to the Sibley First Presbyterian Memorial Fund or the Wheatland Cemetery of Breda, IA.

    Betty Mae Graber was born to Arthur and Ella (Rhode) Auen on September 16, 1929.  She was baptized on October 6, 1929, at the Peace Lutheran Church by Rev. Schwidder and was also later confirmed by Rev. Herbert Berner at the Peace Lutheran Church, Wall Lake, Iowa in June 1945.  Betty was 91 years old when she passed away at the Sibley Hospital in Sibley, Iowa on July 8, 2021.  Betty attended the first eight grades of school at a rural school in Sac County.  Then she attended the Lake View High School graduating in1947.  Betty attended Iowa State Teachers’ College in Cedar Falls, Iowa and received a teaching degree.  Betty taught a rural school in Sac County for three and one third years.  On January 1^st, 1951, she was married by Pastor Christiansen to Richard Graber at the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake.  Richard and Betty resided in the Wheatland parsonage for seven months until the farmhouse on the Graber farm was remodeled.  Betty resided in the farmhouse while Richard was drafted into the Marines and served for two years.  A son, Neil, was born during this time, shortly after Richard left for the service.  Betty was a farm wife, always helping Richard wherever she could.  She joined the Wheatland Presbyterian Church on April 1^st, 1955.  She was a 4-H leader, Sunday school and Bible School teacher, and a member of the Wheatland Presbyterian Women’s Association.   She served as an elder there as well as attending Sunday school and numerous Bible studies.  She enjoyed sewing, baking, gardening, reading, taking care of children and playing cards with family, friends and neighbors.  Four children were born to Betty and Richard: Neil, Peggy, Keith, and Tracy.  They raised the four children on a farm about a mile from the Wheatland Church, living there until September 1^st, 2009, when they moved to Sibley, Iowa.  Betty became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sibley.  

    Surviving members of her family are; Neil Graber (Sue) of West Des Moines, Peggy Blome (Dallas) of Fenton, Mo., Keith Graber (Linda) of Cedar Falls, and Tracy Van Diepen (John Jr.) of Ocheyedan, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, and one sister, Irene Goodlaxson of Des Moines, Iowa. 

    Preceding her in death was her husband, Richard Graber, her parents, Arthur and Ella Auen of Lake View, Iowa, a grandson, Alex Graber of Cedar Falls, and two brothers, Marvin Auen of Lake View and Arthur Auen Jr. of Albert City.