Viola "Vi" Mae (Krehbiel) Graber was born on October 22, 1926, at Pretty Prairie, Kansas and died peacefully on January 7, 2024, at Prairie Sunset Home.  She was the youngest of four children born to John P. and Emma (Graber) Krehbiel.  Vi was baptized on May 24, 1942, upon the confession of her faith at First Mennonite Church in Pretty Prairie, of which she was a lifelong member. On November 10, 1946, she married Walter "Matzie" J.J. Graber and together they lived on the Graber family farm for 51 years.

Vi was good at multi-tasking the various duties on the farm, sewing, baking, and sharing her love of music, which was passed on to her children. Vi sang in many music groups such as a ladies quartet, church choir, and a ladies trio who sang together for 50 years.  Another activity Vi enjoyed at church was the Women's Mission Society.  There she was able to express her creativity through quilting, which became a lifelong hobby and joy for her.  Her family, relatives, and friends received quilts as well as crocheted and knitted items.  Selling quilts at the Mennonite Relief Sale each year was her labor of love for others.

After years working on the farm, Vi applied for a secretarial position at Pretty Prairie High School in 1967.  She remained in that position for 26 years and treasured the friendships with faculty and students. Those friendship remained long after her retirement from the school, even to the present day.

After moving to Prairie Sunset Home, Vi continued to be busy with volunteering at the home and participating in the chime choir.  Learning to use a cell phone in her 90's helped her connect with relatives and friends.

Vi's pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She is survived by son Stan (Anita) Graber from Pretty Prairie, daughter Nancy Anderson from Pretty Prairie, son Wayne (Becky) Graber from Dallas, Oregon, and daughter Karen (David) Andres from Newton, KS; three grandsons: Scott (Jennifer) Anderson from Middleburg, FL, Matt (Alexia) Graber from Dallas, OR, and Josh (Kristy) Andres from Elbing, KS;  two great granddaughters: Alexandra Anderson from Oskaloosa, IA, Cassidy Anderson from Kansas City, MO; and five great grandsons: Brandon Graber from Bend, OR, Connor and Gavin Graber from Dallas, OR, Cohen and Asher Andres from Elbing, KS.  She is also survived by her Aunt Betty Krehbiel as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Stacey Ann Graber; siblings and spouses:  one brother Harry (Josephine) Krehbiel, sisters Opal (Jake) Graber and Florence (Vic) Huxman.

Friends may call at Livingston Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, with family being there from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in the First Mennonite Cemetery, Pretty Prairie.  The memorial service will be at First Mennonite Church, Pretty Prairie also on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., with a meal following.

Memorials are designated for Prairie Sunset Home, Pretty Prairie, KS or Mennonite Central Committee, North Newton, KS, 67117, in care of Livingston Funeral Home.

Here is a memorial video tribute link for Viola:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxZ-7aiEPQE&feature=youtu.be