Mildred Lucille Grafel

March 21, 1922 - Sept. 11, 2007

Mildred Lucille Grafel, 85, of Herndon, died Tuesday (Sept. 11, 2007) at Cedar Living Center in Oberlin.

She was born March 21, 1922, in Traer, Kan., to Gustav and Theresia (Leitner) Wudtke. She grew up in Traer and Herndon and attended Herndon Schools, graduating from Herndon High School in 1939. She spent a year in normal school in Oberlin, aspiring to teach.

On June 19, 1941, she married John Wilbur Grafel in Herndon. They lived on a farm south of Herndon. In 1957, they moved to the Grafel home place north of Herndon, where they spent the rest of their 65 years of marriage.

She served as the first woman on the Board of Immanuel Church, sang in the choir and was in the Women's Guild. She was also a member of the Women's Extension Service Club and was involved with the Herndon Cardinals 4-H Club. She was also an Avon Representative.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John on May 31, 2006; her parents; a grandson, Randy Lee Weber; three sisters, Louise Hawley, Bertha Galusha and Mabel Ross; and four brothers-in-law, Bones Hawley, Warren Galusha, Ralph Sallans and Floyd "Smokey" Bryan.

Survivors include her two children, Bonnie and husband Randy Weber of Gilbert, Ariz., and J.R. and Phyllis Grafel of Herndon; brothers-in-law, Porter Ross of McCook and Wayne Grafel and wife, Betty of Culbertson; three sisters-in-law, LaVerna Sallans of Aurora, Elaine Bryan of Oberlin and Shirley Jones and husband, Bill of Quinter; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Memorial services were Sept. 18, 2007, at Pauls Funeral Home in Oberlin, with the Rev. Dale Sallans officiating. Inurnment will be at Herndon Immanuel Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be given to Cedar Living Center.

Pauls Funeral Home of Oberlin is in charge of arrangements.