Donald Leon Graber, 90, of Hutchinson, died July 12, 2024, at Hospice House. He was born January 24, 1934, in Varner, to Ben A. and Esther V. (Magnuson) Graber.
Don graduated from Partridge High School in 1951 and attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, NE. He served in the United States Army 1956-1958. Don worked as a process engineer at New Holland Equipment in Grand Island, NE, for 19 years, as a missionary with Avant Ministries in Bolivia from 1985-1996, and served at Rio Grande Bible Institute as an associate staff member from 1996-2012. He loved cars and doing mechanic work and playing pool at the Senior Center at Elmdale Park. Don was a member of Berean Baptist Church.
On August 2, 1955, he married Mary L. Lyon in Aurora, NE. She died January 3, 2002. On August 11, 2002, Don married Roberta G. Neir. She died November 8, 2020.
He is survived by: his daughters, Cindy Anderson (Jim) of Charlottesville, VA, Teresa Hoover of Overland Park, Karen Nachtigal of Hutchinson; daughter-in-law, Ann Graber of Arlington, TX; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard Graber of Custer, SD; brother-in-law, Cliff Gardner of South Hutchinson; sister-in-law, Carol Graber of Tulsa, OK; and many extended family members.
Don was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Philip; granddaughter, Kate Cofer; brother, Dean; and sister, Shirley Gardner.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Berean Baptist Church, 1620 Center Street, Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery, Darlow, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present to receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Rio Grande Bible Ministries, Edinburg, TX, Berean Baptist Church, or The Gideons International, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.