Edna Ruth Graber, 98, died on April 25, 2022, in Schowalter Villa, Hesston, surrounded by her family. Edna Ruth was born on July 12, 1923, in Newton, to Henry S. and Mathilda Wedel Goertzen. She grew up on West Broadway in Newton, graduating from Newton High School in 1941. For three years she attended Bethel College, where she met her husband, Marlo Graber. They were married September 8, 1944, and settled on a farm five miles from Hesston. This was their home for 64 years.
Together they farmed and raised a family. After the last of her children started school, she worked at various places, including the Ratzlaff Drapery factory, at Hesston High School as cleaning matron, and finally at her favorite job, being the first ward clerk at Axtell Hospital in Newton. She was an active member of her community and her church, always serving with unwavering generosity and enthusiasm.
In 2008 Marlo and Edna Ruth sold their farm and moved to Independent Living at Schowalter Villa. After Marlo died in 2009, Edna Ruth continued to live independently until March 2019, when she moved into Assisted Living. She transferred to Health Care in the fall of 2019.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marlo; daughter Ruthie Hawkins; grandson Joel Graber; son-in-law Tom Trout; and sister Helen Bachman.
She is survived by her children Carolyn Trout, Joplin, MO; Dale (Sharon), Bluffton, SC; Dean (Barbara), Goodland; Steve (Cindy), Dodge City; and Vonnie (Doug) Moden, Colorado Springs, CO; Grandchildren Marissa Hawkins, Hopkinton, MA; Morgan Graber, Wellington, FL; Holly Straight, Dodge City; and Christian Moden, Colorado Springs, CO; Great-grandchildren Brooklynn, Grayson, and Easton Straight, Dodge City; and brother Irvin, Goessel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Miller-Ott Funeral Home, 107 S. Lancaster Ave, Hesston, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 29. There will be a private interment at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at Garden Community Church, with reception following.