Gladys C Graber

Gladys Carolyn Graber (née Gjerdevig), 96, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on November 15, 2024 in Newton, Kansas, of natural causes. 

Gladys was born to Lars and Helena (Walde) Gjerdevig on October 3, 1928 in Alsen, North Dakota, the youngest of 4 children. Her siblings, who have preceded her, were Lenford (Devils Lake, N.D.), Ernest (Carrington, N.D.), and Ovina Isaac (Salem, Oregon). After her salvation at age 14, she was baptized in the Swiss Mennonite Church of Alsen on July 16, 1944. 

Gladys later attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, where she met and married Harold Graber on August 10, 1947. Together with her husband, Gladys served as a missionary in Zaire under the auspices of the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission from 1951–1964. From 1962-1995, Gladys participated in four Mennonite churches that Harold pastored, including Hutterthal (Freeman, South Dakota), Zion (Elbing, Kansas), Central Heights (Lehigh, Kansas), and Hebron (Buhler, Kansas).

Gladys received a Bachelors degree from Wichita State University in 1971, and a Masters in Accounting from Emporia State University in 1976. During that time, she taught accounting and general business at Hillsboro High School, while also an adjunct professor at Tabor College and later Hutchinson Community College.

Starting in 1976, Gladys served as Faculty Chair of the Business and Economics Department at Hesston College. In 1986, she became tenured Associate Professor of Business and Economics at Bethel College. Upon her retirement in 2002, 33 of her students had passed their CPA exam, and she celebrated each one.

Beyond her career, Gladys served as a member and trustee of the Division of Administration of the General Conference Mennonite Church. She also served as a member of the Western District Conference Audit Committee, and the Board of Control of the Mennonite Library and Archives.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Harold, her parents and siblings, and son-in-law Gary Klassen. She is succeeded by her five children, 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Her children are Stan Graber (Bonnie) of Burns, Kansas; Carolyn Klassen of Newton, Kansas; Brad Graber (Sharon) of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; Emily Klassen (Mike) of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Jeannette Jantz (Steve) of Newton, Kansas.

Gladys was a proud mother, a fierce grandmother, and much more. With her education and career, she added bold colors to the traditional picture of “a pastor's wife,” and by her resilient faith, she challenged her children and grandchildren to boldly embrace God’s plans for them. Her passion and care extended to her accounting students, who saw her as a role model in corporate ethics and an encourager amid the intricacies of accounting. She shared her mother's passion for Sunday School, which she was still teaching at age 83.

Reflecting on her life, Gladys claimed Deuteronomy 2:7 as her testimony: “The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years (80 plus) the Lord your God has been with you and YOU HAVE LACKED NOTHING.” She echoed the words from Genesis 22:14: “He is Jehovah Jireh....My Provider.”

Her family is grateful to the caring administrators and staff at the Presbyterian Manor where she lived independently for the last 6 years of her life, and to Good Shepherd Hospice for their tender care of mom and family for the last weeks of her life.

A viewing and visitation will be held Friday evening, November 22, 2024, from 5-9pm at Petersen Funeral Home, Newton, Kansas, and family will be present from 6:30-8pm.

A celebration of life will be held at First Mennonite Church, Newton, Kansas, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11am, preceded by a private burial service. Donations can be made to Berean Academy or AIMM (specify "Hope for Congo").