Funeral services were held for Mrs. Nettie Graba at the Methodist church in this village last Friday afternoon and the church was filled with sorrowing friends who came to pay last tribute and respect to the memory of a beloved and respected pioneer of Wadena county.
Mrs. Nettie Graba was born in Brownville, Iowa on December 12, 1858 and at the time of her death, which occurred at Wesley hospital, Wadena, on March 28, 1944, she was 85 years, 3 months and 15 days.
She was married to Jacob J. Graba in the year 1875 at Osage, Iowa. They came to Minnesota in 1882 in a covered wagon and spent their first winter on the banks of the Crow Wing River, where Nimrod now stands. In 1883 they moved to Hubbard county near Park Rapids to take up a homestead, where they resided until 1893 when the moved to Wadena county, making their home in Orton township.
To this union twelve children were born, six of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Grace Harmes of Sebeka; Mrs. Evalyn Dench of Seattle, WA; Mrs. M. E. Cook (Rhoda) of Elma, WA; Mrs. Charles Stetzler (Mayme) of Menahga; Mr. George H. Graba of Kansas City, MO and Mr. Clifford C. Graba of Sebeka.
Her husband and six children preceded her in death. Besides her children she is survived by one sister, Mrs. Janie Stow of Cumberland, WI; one brother, Perry DeFord of Dallas, Texas; 19 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
The last seven years she made her home in Sebeka, enjoying the quiet life among friend and relatives, and keeping her own home. Last September her health began failing and went to live with her daughter. Mrs. Grace Harmes, with whom she made her home until her heavenly father beckoned her to come. Her life was filled with good deeds and help to others and the pioneers tell of the great help she was to them in sickness and in need. Her friends were as many as her acquaintances and the editor of this paper is but one of her lifelong friends who will always cherish her memory.
Rev. Arnold Frel, American Sunday School Missionary, an old friend of the deceased, delivered the funeral sermon and the remains were gently laid to rest in the Park Rapids cemetery beside the body of her husband whose death occurred a number of years ago. The pallbearers were Alfred Gilster, Crawford D. Parkman, Marvin Perkins, Fred R. Miller Peter Westra and M. E. Isherwood.

Review Messenger: April, 7, 1944
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Mitchell County, Iowa marriage records 1855-1879:
1875 DEC 4 Grebe, John M. Deford, Nettie
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Date of birth of 1858 is from a Graba family Bible and provided by Jayson Graba.(great-grandson)