Lillian Graber, 98
Lillian Graber was born April 20, 1926, on a farm west of Alpena, S.D., to Benjamin and Christina (Schlechter) Brosz. She passed away on July 18, 2024 at Oakview Terrace in Freeman, S.D., at the age of 98, after a long good-bye with dementia.
Growing up during the dust bowl days of the Depression left a deep impression on Lillian. Many stories were told of the dust storms that visited their farm on a regular basis. The drought that spanned several growing seasons took its toll, and the family decided to pack up and return to their roots in Tripp, S.D., when Lillian was approximately 12.
Lillian always had a yearning for education and wanted to see the world that she read about voraciously in books. She graduated from Tripp High School in 1944 and was determined to go to college. She and her parents worked it out so she could attend Yankton College, and she graduated from there in 1948 with a degree in English education. Once that goal was accomplished, her plan was to travel. She relocated to Minneapolis, Minn., and became a stewardess (the term at that time for today’s flight attendant) for Northwest Airlines, while working part-time on her off days at Dayton’s department store.
After two years, Lillian decided to return to South Dakota, and accepted a position at Winner High School, as their English teacher. She subsequently taught English in Alexandria, S.D., where one evening at a dinner party, she was introduced by mutual friends to Clarence C. (J.D.) Graber. Destiny took its course, and Lillian came to Freeman to teach English at Freeman High School. She and J.D. were married on July 24, 1952, at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Tripp. They settled in Freeman and had one daughter, Margo. Lillian continued on as a member of the FHS faculty, then taught English at Bridgewater High School, and finally again in Freeman. Hers was a big job that required English classes for freshmen through seniors, while also directing the yearly junior and senior plays, and coaching the debate team and Oral Interpretation at these schools. She retired from teaching in 1970.
J.D.’s occupation as a South Dakota Department of Insurance Financial Examiner was a traveling job that took him to various locations around the country. After Margo left home for college and the nest was empty, Lillian and the family dog often accompanied him until his retirement in 1977. She was active in the Bethany Mennonite Church, teaching Sunday School and Bible School and singing in the church choir. She was a member of the Dorcas Society and served on the Freeman Library Board and the Freeman Hospital Auxiliary. She loved needlework, especially embroidery and created several quilts that are treasured by her family. She loved singing in the annual Swiss Choral Society’s presentations. Her particular favorite of these (other than Messiah) was Mendelssohn’s Elijah.
Lillian and J.D. proceeded to enjoy their mutual love of travel after his retirement and took every chance to visit new places and revisit favorites, such as Lake Louise in Canada and theater in New York City. After J.D.’s death in 1986, Lillian continued on her own with friends and on Elder Hostel trips, even getting in the car and driving to places like Gavin’s Point, near Yankton for the afternoon when the weather was fine, and the inspiration was there.
Lillian first began her journey with dementia showing mild symptoms in 2006. Our family is grateful for the excellent help and care she received from Freeman Regional Health Services, as she walked the path from Walnut Street Village, the Salem Home and finally Oakview Terrace as her condition progressed.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, J.D., her parents, Ben and Christina, infant older sister, Lorraine, former son-in-law, Arthur Bowling, and very special friend, Marvin Mueller.
She is survived by her daughter, Margo Bowling of Littleton, Colo., step-grandaughter Keri Bowling (Jason Grell) of Northglenn Colo., and niece Yvonne Mast of Freeman, along with several cousins.
Donations, if you are so inclined, can be directed to Freeman Regional Health Services.
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. – Nelson Henderson
