Ralph Graber
Ralph Graber, 74, of Goessel, died June 17, 2002, at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita.
Born Aug. 31, 1927, at his parents' home in rural Freeman, S.D., he was the son of Peter B. and Frances (Kaufman) Graber. He was baptized by Rev. J.J. Regier on Oct. 31, 1943, at Salem Zion Mennonite Church in Freeman, S.D.
He was a graduate of Freeman Academy, Freeman Junior College of Freeman, S.D., Bethel College of North Newton, and Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary of Elkhart, Ind. He became an ordained minister Aug. 11, 1957.
On Aug. 28, 1953, he married Mary Nachtigall at Freeman, S.D. She survives. They lived in South Dakota and Missouri before moving to Kansas.
He was a farmer and pastor, farming in South Dakota and serving churches in South Dakota and Kansas. He served the Bethel Mennonite Church of Marion from 1955 to 1963. In 1977 the family moved to Goessel and he did interim pastoral assignments in Oklahoma, Texas, Hutchinson, and Kansas.
He was a member of Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge. He was chairman of the Swan Lake Christian Camp Committee and Peace Committee of the General Conference Northern District.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Blanche.
Survivors include his wife of Goessel; sons and their spouses, Douglas and Nancy of Hesston, Donovan and Jill of Moundridge, Warren and Lisbeth of Sioux Falls, S.D., Corbin and Tonya of Divide, Colo.; daughters, Joan and Darrell Park of Harrisburg, S.D., and Anita Bailey of Carlisle, Pa.; brother, Floyd Graber of Freeman, S.D.; sister, Marge Preheim of Freeman, S.D.; 16 grandchildren; and mother-in-law, Matilda Nachtigall of Goessel.
Services were held June 22 at Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge with Pastor Donovan Graber officiating. Burial was at Eden Church Cemetery.
Musicians were Jill Graber, Joan Park, Nancy and Douglas Graber, Lisbeth Graber, and Corbin Graber.
Memorials have been established with Freeman Academy of Freeman, S.D., and Mennonite Central Committee.
