Marvis Graber: 1933-2022
Marvis Elrene (Becker) Graber, 88, was greeted by Jesus, her family and a multitude of friends as she entered her eternal home on Aug. 16, 2022.
Marvis was born on Sept. 14, 1933 to Bernard J. and Minnie J. (Deckert) Becker on a farm near Dolton, S.D., and joined three older brothers. She loved living the farm life, enjoying the barn kittens and following her big brothers around. She excelled in a small country school and later graduated from Marion High School in 1951.
After high school, she held a variety of jobs until one day she was asked to go roller skating with Don Graber who ended up being the love of her life. They married on June 10, 1955 and she took on the job she enjoyed the most – wife and mother. The couple was blessed with four children and were happily married for 47 years with most of that time living in Bridgewater, S.D. As the kids grew, she re-entered the work force as a bank teller, secretary, and later a dishwasher for the school district. As Don’s health started to decline, they moved to Brandon, S.D. until his death in 2002. She then moved to St. Peter, Minn., to be near to a close friend. Marvis moved back to Bridgewater in 2019 and remained there until her death.
Marvis was involved with her church throughout her life. She taught Sunday school, helped with summer Bible school, and was the Christmas program director. But it wasn’t until about 1980 that she discovered that she did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. That’s when Marvis began to live out that relationship by reading and studying His word and talking to Him in prayer. What a tremendous difference in her Christian walk with the Lord. Now there was joy and peace and an assurance of eternal life with Jesus, her Lord and Savior. And God is now her Heavenly Father.
Marvis’ real passion was music. She played piano/organ for church on a regular basis, sang in the yearly Easter Cantata and even wrote and published a worship song book. Her faith was a mainstay in all she did. She is now enjoying the music of Heaven with her family and dear friends.
Marvis is preceded in death by her husband, Don Graber; her parents, Bernard and Minnie Becker; her five brothers: Leander Becker, Harry Becker, Arnold Becker, Marvin Becker and Vernon Becker; 11 brothers-in-law and 10 sisters-in-law.
She is survived by her children: Tim (Colleen) Graber, Ramsey, Minn.; Alan (Michelle) Graber, Blaine, Minn.; Julie Graber, Tea, S.D.; and Carol (Reed) Petersen, Brandon, S.D.; nine grandchildren: Brian (Sarah) Graber, Rachel (Dain) Van Epps, Stephanie (Collin) Schultz, Curtis (Kiah) Graber, Janna (Ben) Morehead, James Remmers, Quinn Remmers, Matthew Petersen and Nicole Petersen; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters-in law: Edna Becker, Eleanor Becker and Dorothy Graber; and many loved nieces and nephews.
