Carolyn Fern Graber, age 82, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Indianhead Medical Center in Shell Lake, WI.

She was born on July 26, 1942 in Hopedale, Illinois, the daughter of Gordon Raymond and Esther (Good) Stichter. She was united in marriage to Roman Tobias “Toby” Graber on March 17, 1962 in Nappanee, IN.

Carolyn and Toby worked side by side for decades on their family farm in Burnett County. She was a tireless worker and there was no task that she wouldn’t take on. Carolyn loved the Lord and all her church family. She had a wonderful voice and enjoyed singing old hymns. She also sang with quartets, trios, and with her husband. She had strong faith and a servant’s heart, helping people whenever she was able. Carolyn and Toby enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and had made many dear friends down there. She was quite sociable and enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. She had quite a sweet tooth, especially for Jelly Belly jellybeans. After she had suffered a stroke, Carolyn had to give up driving cars and tractors but could still drive her beloved Gator. She loved taking Toby around the farm on Gator rides. Carolyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Toby Graber of Spooner, WI; three sons, Curtis J. “Curt” (Pon Angara) Graber of Chicago, IL, Larry (Laura) Graber of Shell Lake, WI and Stan (Kristina) Graber of Greenfield, IN; her grandchildren, Nathan, Andrew, Zachary, Madalyn, Anthony, Benjamin, Alicia and Sarah; her great-grandchildren, Lyra and Sunni; her sister, Lorene Shrock of Harrisonburg, VA; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn is preceded in death by her five brothers, Don, Leonard, Ralph, Loren and Ken Stichter.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday, October 25, 2024 at the Spooner Funeral Home, 306 Rusk Street in Spooner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the Spooner Church of the Nazarene, N4584 Highway 253, just south of Spooner, WI, where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. Pastor Clifford Larrabee will officiate. Interment will be held privately.

Memorials may be directed to Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) or Compassion International.

Last Update: Oct 21, 2024 3:26 pm CDT