Virginia Mae Graber

Virginia Mae Graber (Nee Balow), 82, of Benton Harbor, went home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at her home. A Celebration of Life Eternal Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, August 24, 2009 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, MI 49127. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery, Baroda. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 23 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville, Michigan, 49127; New Life Lutheran Church, 3725 Hammock Road, Sebring, Florida, 33872; or Hospice at Home, 4017 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan, Michigan 49107. Those wishing to send a condolence message on line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Virginia was born on January 20, 1927, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Her mother was Katherine (nee Brant) Leerskov; and father was Harold Balow. Virginia graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1945 and married her high school sweetheart, George Graber, on December 15, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico while George was in the Army and stationed in Las Alamos until 1946. After returning to Benton Harbor, Virginia and her husband worked the family fruit farm until 1957, when they converted the farm into the first nine of Blossom Trails Golf Course. Virginia managed the clubhouse while her husband took care of the golf course maintenance. They built the second nine in 1960, and the three-par course “Little Bud” in 1963. Virginia and George spent winters in Sebring, Florida, since 1976. Virginia enjoyed playing cards and also was active in the Southwest Michigan depression glass club, serving as chairman for several years. She also collected House of David artwork. She loved her flower garden and made beautiful floral arrangements for her home and for church. Virginia was a devout Christian and served on the altar committee at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor for several years. She and her husband were charter members of New Life Lutheran Church in Sebring, Florida, where they spent 33 winters. She leaves behind her husband of 63 years George Graber; two daughters, Fern (Phil) Gaddie, and Connie Graber of Berrien Springs, Michigan; three step-brothers: Ron (Anita) Balow and Bruce Balow of Florida and Bill (Carol) Balow of Niles, Michigan; brother-in-law Dr. Elmer (Fern) Graber of South Bend, Indiana; a very special niece, Cynthia Schroeder, her husband John and children Robert, David and Gwenlynn of Granger, Indiana; and our angel nurse Sarah. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Balow and Katherine (nee Brant) Leerskov.